Serological serum protein fraction and responses to Brucella melitensis in lambs fed aflatoxins

Twenty-four lambs were given 2 ppm aflatoxins (AF) in their diet for 37 d and 12 were kept as a control group. After this time, toxic feed was removed for a further 35 days (clearance period). On day 17 all lambs were vaccinated with B melitensis strain Rev-1, and blood samples were taken regularly to determine the levels of antibodies and serum proteins. Aflatoxins decreased titers of Rose Bengal test and optical densities of ELISA, both in the intoxicated and clearance periods. Complement fixation titers were lower in intoxicated lambs, except on the 23rd day of intoxication, but not statistically different (P > 0.05). No effect of AF was noted on total serum proteins, but albumin and alfa-globulin levels were lower for intoxicated lambs than for the control group. Beta-globulin concentration did not change, and increases in gamma-globulins levels in dosed lambs were observed throughout the experiment. These results suggest that AF causes a failure in the acquired immunity system of lambs by decreasing antibody production and altering serum profile proteins.