Effect of feeding graded levels of aflatoxin on performance of sheep

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to study the nutritional, biochemical and toxicological response in sheep fed graded levels of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). Sheep (28) of uniform body weight of 5-6 months of age were distributed equally under 4 groups and fed on 0,250,500 and 1 000 ppb of AFB1 in their diet for 105 days. Feeding of AFB1 at 500 and 1000 ppb significantly reduced the feed intake. The body weight gain was lower in all the aflatoxin fed groups and was more pronounced in 1 000 ppb AFB1 fed group. Total plasma protein and albumin levels were significantly reduced at 100 days of feeding. Calcium and phosphorus contents were also significantly lower in groups fed higher levels of AFB1. Histopathological study showed pronounced tissue alterations in liver, kidney, spleen and lungs characterised by degenerative changes in sheep fed 500 and 1 000 ppb of AFB1 and the changes were mild in group fed 250 ppb of AFB1. It is concluded that the performance of sheep fed 500 and 1 000 ppb of AFB1 was severely depressed and such effects were mild to moderate in sheep fed 250 ppb AFB1. It could be suggested that the tolerance limit of AFB1 in sheep is much below 250 ppb