Mycotoxicoses produced in ducklings and turkeys by dietary and multiple doses of citrinin

Citrinin was mixed in the diet (100, 250, 500 parts/10(6)) and fed to 1-day-old male White Pekin ducklings (Trial I), or it was dissolved in dimethyl-sulphoxide-70% ethanol (3:1, v/v) and administered by crop gavage to 14-day-old male White Pekin ducklings (Trial II) or 7-day-old male turkey poults (Trial III). Ducklings given 250 or 500 parts/10(6) citrinin diet for 15 days had clinical signs of citrinin toxicity. Body weight gain was significantly decreased by the 500 parts/10(6) diet (P < 0.05). Ducklings fed 250 and 500 parts/10(6) developed nephropathy that was more severe in the 500 parts/10(6) group. The nephropathy was characterised by degeneration, necrosis, mineralisation and regeneration of tubular epithelial cells of both the cortical and medullary regions. Interstitial fibrosis was found in the medullary regions of the 500 parts/10(6) group only and focally was accompanied by interstitial nephritis. Seven daily doses of citrinin equal to a half or three-quarters of the single-dose LD(50) produced no additive toxic effects in either ducklings or turkeys, but body weight gain was significantly decreased in duckling given three-quarters of the single-dose LD(50).