Influence of ochratoxin A and T-2 toxin singly and in combination on broiler chickens

Effects of feeding diets containing ochratoxin A (OA) at 2.0 mg/kg and T-2 toxin at 4.0 mg/kg singly and in combination were characterized in male broiler chicks from 1 day to 3 wk of age. Body weights were depressed by feeding OA singly, T-2 singly, and the OA/T-2 combination. The efficiency of feed utilization was reduced in the OA and OA/T-2 combination-fed groups. The T-2 toxin caused oral lesions, anemia, and changes in some serum biochemical values. Feeding OA resulted in increases in relative liver, kidney, gizzard, and pancreas weights, a microcytic hypochromic anemia, and changed serum chemistries. The OA/T-2 combination caused increases in relative liver, kidney, proventriculus, and gizzard weights and variable serum biochemistries. The effects of OA and T-2 were additive for reduced body weight gains, mean corpuscular volume, and for reduced serum levels of total protein, and for reduced lactate dehydrogenase activity. A significant interaction occurred between OA and T-2 causing elevated serum triglyceride levels and decreased gamma glutamyl transferase activity and calcium levels. Degenerative renal tubular changes were observed in some OA and OA/T-2 combination-fed chicks. These data indicate that OA and T-2 in combination may be more toxic for some parameters than the individual mycotoxins, and may pose a greater problem for the poultry industry than either of the mycotoxins individually.