Progression of ochratoxicosis in broiler chickens

The progression of effects induced by administration of ochratoxin A were characterized in young male broiler chickens (Hubbard x Hubbard). The experimental design consisted of four dietary treatments of ochratoxin A (0, 1.0, 2.0, and 4.0 micrograms ochratoxin A/g feed) and 11 replicates of 10 broilers/replicate. Broilers were housed in electrically heated batteries with feed and water available ad libitum. Broilers were weighed, bled, killed by cervical dislocation, and necropsied at 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, and 21 days of age. Toxicity of ochratoxin A to broilers was evident as early as 6 days of age, when significant (P less than .05) growth depression occurred at 4.0 micrograms dietary ochratoxin A/g feed. Dietary ochratoxin A significantly increased the relative weights of the liver, kidney, spleen, pancreas, and gizzard. Anemia, characterized by a significant decrease in packed-cell volume and hemoglobin levels, was present during ochratoxicosis. Hepatotoxicity of dietary ochratoxin A was evident through an observed significant reduction in serum levels of total protein, albumin, globulin, cholesterol, triglyceride, and blood urea nitrogen, and a significant increase in the serum activities of gamma glutamyl transferase and cholinesterase. A significant increase in serum uric acid and creatinine levels was indicative of nephrotoxicity. These data provide a description of the progression of ochratoxicosis in broilers that should be useful in diagnosis and in improved understanding of ochratoxicosis.