Depressed 59 Fe absorption due to dietary aflatoxin

Area of Science:

• Animal Science
• Toxicology
• Nutritional Biochemistry

Background:

• Aflatoxicosis, a disease caused by aflatoxins, is a significant concern in poultry production.
• Anemia is a common symptom of aflatoxicosis in commercial broilers.
• The impact of aflatoxin on iron absorption and its relation to anemia requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between 59Fe absorption and anemia in broilers exposed to aflatoxin.
• To determine how different feeding periods of aflatoxin affect iron metabolism and packed cell volume.

Main Methods:

• Broilers were fed diets containing 0 or 5 µg/g of aflatoxin from various ages (1, 7, 14, or 21 days of age) for 21-day periods.
• Packed cell volume (PCV) and the percentage of 59Fe retention were measured.
• Correlations between PCV and 59Fe retention were analyzed.

Main Results:

• Aflatoxin feeding from 0-3 or 1-4 weeks of age induced anemia and significantly reduced 59Fe retention.
• Feeding aflatoxin from 2-5 weeks of age caused a significant decrease in PCV but not significantly in 59Fe retention.
• While low PCV groups showed lower iron retention, correlations suggested a relationship between PCV and iron absorption.

Conclusions:

• Early-life aflatoxin exposure in broilers leads to anemia and impaired iron absorption.
• Aflatoxicosis negatively impacts iron metabolism, contributing to reduced packed cell volume.
• Further research is warranted to fully elucidate the mechanisms linking aflatoxin, iron absorption, and anemia in poultry.