The effect of chronic feeding of diacetoxyscirpenol, T-2 toxin, and aflatoxin on performance, health, and antibody production in chicks

The effects of feeding T-2 toxin, diacetoxyscirpenol (DAS), or aflatoxin B1 at levels up to 1,000 ppb for 5 weeks on performance, health, and immune response of enterally and parenterally immunized chicks were examined. No decreases in growth or feed efficiency were observed when T-2, DAS, or a mixture of these mycotoxins were fed for 35 days. Aflatoxin at concentrations above 800 ppb resulted in decreased growth and feed efficiency after 4 weeks. Feeding T-2 and DAS resulted in oral lesions and mild intestinal inflammation, but no other pathological or histopathological lesions. Aflatoxin caused enlargement and discoloration of liver and kidneys and mild intestinal inflammation. No effects of T-2, DAS, or aflatoxin B1 were observed on antibody production to antigens administered by enteral or parenteral routes.