Distribution and Effects of Aflatoxin in Chicken Tissues After Feeding Radiolabeled (¹⁴C) Aflatoxin B₁

The effects of single oral administration of 1 mg of ¹⁴C-aflatoxin B₁ to 3-wk-old chickens and 10 mg of non-radioactive aflatoxin to 6-wk-old chickens were determined. Analyses were made of the distribution of ¹⁴C in the blood, organs, tissues and feces. No toxic effects were observed on chickens fed 1 mg of aflatoxin B₁ during 72 h but those fed 10 mg of non-radioactive aflatoxin exhibited both altered physical signs and pathological findings. Both the ¹⁴C-aflatoxin studies and chemical analyses for the parent compound indicated that most of the aflatoxin was excreted in the feces within 48 h and of the amount retained, most was found in the liver.