The Effect of Dietary Fat on Aflatoxicosis in Turkeys

Abstract

Graded concentrations of aflatoxin incorporated into the feed of turkey-poults resulted in a decreased growth rate, an enlarged spleen and pancreas, and a smaller liver and bursa of Fabricius. Analysis of the liver showed that the lipid content increased significantly. The effect of 1.0 p.p.m. aflatoxin on the growth rate was the same in diets containing 2, 6, or 18% fat. However, the 18% fat diet ameliorated the lethal effect of the aflatoxin and restored the relative bursal weight to a normal value. Aflatoxin at 1.0 p.p.m. depressed the serum total lipid and phospholipid at all concentrations of dietary fat, but the values on the 18 % fat diet were significantly nearer the normal values. These data suggested that aflatoxin has two separate effects on turkeys, that of growth inhibition and interference with lipid metabolism.