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Fumonisin toxicity in turkey poults
T S Weibking1, D R Ledoux, T P Brown
1Animal Sciences Department, University of Missouri, Columbia 65211.
Summary
Dietary fumonisin B1 (FB1) is toxic to young turkey poults, negatively impacting growth and organ weights. Turkey poults exhibit higher sensitivity to FB1 toxicity compared to broiler chicks.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Toxicology
- Animal Science
- Mycotoxicology
Background:
- Fumonisin B1 (FB1) is a mycotoxin produced by Fusarium species.
- Poultry are susceptible to mycotoxins, affecting health and productivity.
- Understanding FB1 toxicity in turkeys is crucial for feed safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the toxic effects of dietary fumonisin B1 in young turkey poults.
- To determine the dose-dependent toxicity of FB1 in turkeys.
- To compare the sensitivity of turkey poults to FB1 with other poultry species.
Main Methods:
- Day-old turkey poults were fed diets containing 0, 100, or 200 mg FB1/kg for 21 days.
- Evaluated body weight gain, feed conversion efficiency, and organ weights (liver, kidney, pancreas, spleen, heart).
- Analyzed serum biochemical parameters and examined histological changes in affected tissues.
Main Results:
- Linear decreases in body weight gain and feed conversion efficiency with increasing FB1 levels.
- Linear increases in liver, kidney, and pancreas weights; decreases in spleen and heart weights.
- Elevated serum aspartate aminotransferase; decreased serum cholesterol, alkaline phosphatase, mean cell volume, and mean cell hemoglobin. Histopathological findings included biliary hyperplasia, Kupffer cell hypertrophy, thymic atrophy, and tibial physes changes.
Conclusions:
- Dietary fumonisin B1 is toxic to young turkey poults.
- Turkey poults demonstrate greater sensitivity to fumonisin B1 toxicity than broiler chicks.
- FB1 exposure causes significant physiological and pathological changes in growing turkeys.