Mycotoxicosis produced in broiler chickens by multiple doses of either T-2 toxin or diacetoxyscirpenol

T-2 toxin, a 12, 13-epoxytrichothecene mycotoxin, was given by crop gavage to 7-day-old male broiler chickens as 14 daily doses of 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, and 3.0 mg/kg body weight/day. Diacetoxyscirpenol, also an epoxytrichothecene, was given at doses of 2.5, 3.0,and 3.5 mg/kg/day. Some chickens became dehydrated and emaciated and died. In survivors, body weight and haematocrit were reduced, the feathers were malformed, and the beak and legs were pale yellow. At necropsy, the lymphoid organs were atrophic, bone marrow was pale red or yellow, the liver was discoloured yellow, and the crop mucosa was ulcerated. Microscopic lesions included necrosis and cell depletion in lymphocytic and haematopoietic tissues, and necrosis of hepatocytes, bile ductule epithelium, enteric mucosa, and germinal regions of feather barbs. Other hepatic lesions were fatty change of hepatocytes and hyperplasia of bile ductules. Thyroid follicles were small, contained pale colloid and had tall epithelial cells. T-2 toxin was more detrimental than diacetoxyscirpenol to lymphocytic and haematopoietic tissues.