The Effects of Short Term Feeding of Aflatoxin on Egg Production and Some Plasma Constituents of the Laying Hen ,

Abstract

The effect on White Leghorn laying hens of feeding 20 p.p.m. dietary aflatoxin for seven days was investigated. During this feeding period egg production was not affected although plasma calcium, protein, cholesterol, triglycerides were decreased significantly (P < 0.05) and serum alkaline phosphatase was increased by the second day of aflatoxin treatment. At the end of the aflatoxin feeding period, the hens were returned to the control diet for recovery. The plasma calcium, protein and alkaline phosphatase values approximated the control values by the seventh day of the recovery period while plasma total lipid and cholesterol approximated control values by the tenth day. Egg production rate began to decline significantly (P < 0.05) on the first day of the recovery period and reached a minimum of 35 percent seven days later. Egg production returned to the control rate 19 days after the hens began eating the aflatoxin-free diet. These results suggest that aflatoxin impairs egg production by reducing liver synthesis and transport of yolk precursors. There is a delayed onset in the decline of egg production.