The effect of exercise on the toxicity of aflatoxin B1 in chickens

Three trials were conducted to study the effects of exercise on aflatoxicosis in young broiler and layer chicks. Aflatoxin B1 was fed at levels of 0 or 5 ppm in a corn-based diet. Exercise was conducted on a motorized treadmill. In one trial, the growth rate of aflatoxin-fed birds was found to be increased significantly (P less than .05) by exercise, but it was not equal to that of the control birds. In other trials, growth rates were increased by exercise in birds receiving aflatoxin, but not significantly. Feed consumption measurements indicated that the decreased growth rates in the aflatoxin-fed birds were due to decreased feed consumption. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase levels were decreased significantly in the unexercised broiler chicks fed aflatoxin (P less than .025). In one trial, liver weights of broiler chicks were increased significantly by aflatoxin (P less than .005). In the birds fed aflatoxin and exercised, liver weights also were increased but to a lesser degree (P less than .01).