Aflatoxin: A Synthesis of the Research in Health, Agriculture and Trade

“Supplementing
potentially aflatoxincontaminated
feed
with milk thistle has
shown some positive
effects in broiler
chicks...”
“Clay additives
have shown promise
in inhibiting the
effects of aflatoxin
contamination...”
documented effects on Poultry and Pigs
Poultry is commonly considered highly susceptible to the effects of aflatoxin,
including aflatoxicosis. Different species are more susceptible than others;
turkey poults are the most sensitive, while chickens are the most resistant.
Researchers studied the effects of aflatoxin-contaminated feed on the growth
of turkey poults. Birds receiving 100–1,000 ppb of aflatoxin showed signs of
aflatoxicosis such as poor feathering, apathy, and pallor of the feet and beak.
Some birds receiving 500–1,000 ppb experienced convulsive crises. higher
levels of aflatoxin toxicity corresponded to lower levels of feed intake, which
resulted in lower weight gain in poults fed contaminated feed. 38
Studies show that chickens consuming diets contaminated with aflatoxin show
renal lesions, 39 lower growth performance, diminished immune performance,
and lower survival rates than birds fed contaminant-free diets. 40 Birds fed
mycotoxin-rich diets had also developed fewer antibodies than birds fed clean
feed. Supplementing potentially aflatoxin-contaminated feed with milk thistle
has shown some positive effects in broiler chicks—possibly due to the ability
of milk thistle to support the immune system though antioxidant, free-radical
scavenging action that preserves the effects of other antioxidants in food, as
well as other positive effects on the immune system. the addition of milk thistle
into contaminated diets also showed a positive effect on weight gain in broiler
chicks. 41
Pigs are also highly susceptible to aflatoxin poisoning. Aflatoxin has similar
effects on swine as on poultry such as compromised immune system, poor
weight gain, reduced feed intake, and organ damage. Adverse effects have
been shown both at both high and low doses; doses as low as 175 ppb—in
combination with other contaminants—have been shown to cause hardening
of the liver and damage to related vessels. clay additives have shown promise
in inhibiting the effects of aflatoxin contamination; however, further research is
required before wide-scale use is recommended. 42
56