Steatorrhea during aflatoxicosis in chickens

Graded levels of dietary aflatoxin (0, .625, 1.25, 2.5, 5 and 10 microgram/g) were tested for their effect on lipid excretion in feces of young broiler chickens. There was a highly significant (P less than .01) increase at 1.25 microgram/g and above including a threefold increase at 10 microgram/g, while growth rate was decreased only at levels of 2.5 microgram/g and above. Pancreatic lipase, the primary fat digestive enzyme, was decreased significantly (P less than .05) at all levels of aflatoxin and at 10 microgram/g was only 40% of the control value, Bile, which is required for lipid digestion and absorption, was decreased highly significantly (P less than .01) in concentration by all growth inhibition levels of aflatoxin. A slight but significant ( P less than .05) increase in bladder size at growth inhibitory levels of aflatoxin appeared adequate to compensate for decreased bile concentration. A pair feeding technique showed the effect of aflatoxin on fecal lipids and pancreatic lipase occurred in diets low (2%) or high (17%) in fat. The steatorrhea caused by aflatoxin apparently reflects a lipid malabsorption syndrome caused by an impaired ability to digest lipids.