Effect of T-2 and HT-2 Toxin during the Growing Period on Body Weight, Lipid Peroxide and Glutathione Redox Status of Broiler Chickens

Mária Weber,Márta Erdélyi,Krisztián Balogh,Judit Fodor,Miklós Mézes,Zsolt Ancsin

doi:10.2754/avb201079010027

Abstract

The effect of T-2 and HT-2 toxin using different doses in the starter (0-21 days: 1.04 mg T-2 toxin and 0.49 mg HT-2 toxin kg-1feed), and finisher diets (22-39 days: 0.12 mg T-2 toxin and 0.02 mg HT-2 toxin kg-1feed) was investigated in broiler chickens. Birds were divided into two groups fed with control and T-2 and HT-2 toxin contaminated diets. Pathological signs of toxicity were investigated on days 21 and 39 of the trial, individual liveweight was measured weekly. Five birds from each group were sacrificed on the 21st and 39th days of treatment, when blood plasma, red blood cell, liver and kidney samples were taken, in which malondialdehyde and reduced glutathione concentration and glutathione-peroxidase activity were determined. Pathological signs (lesions in the oral cavity and on the tongue, inflammation in the small intestine) were found in the group fed T-2 and HT-2 toxin contaminated feed on day 21 compared to control. Body weight was significantly lower as a result of feeding T-2 and HT-2 toxin contaminated diet. However, the contamination did not cause a significant increase of malondialdehyde content in the analysed tissues. Reduced glutathione content was significantly lower in the liver homogenate on day 39 than that of the control. Glutathione peroxidase activity also did not differ significantly in blood plasma, red blood cell haemolysates and kidney homogenates, while it was significantly higher in the liver homogenates of the mycotoxin-challenged birds. In conclusion, it can be stated that T-2 and HT-2 toxin exposure has long-term effects in broiler chickens.

Highlights

Pathological signs were found in the group fed T-2 and HT-2 toxin contaminated feed on day 21 compared to control
Pathological signs The effects of T-2 and HT-2 toxin were found at necropsy on day 21 and on day 39 but with different extents and rates of occurrence in the group fed mycotoxin contaminated feed
The clinical signs of T-2 and HT-2 toxicity were the same as previously described (Joffe et al 1971; Gentry 1982). Severity of these alterations decreased but did not completely cease during the second phase of the trial when the mycotoxin content of the diet was much lower. It means that a high dose of T-2 and HT-2 toxinload has a long-term effect even if followed by a much lower level of contamination

Summary

Introduction

Pathological signs (lesions in the oral cavity and on the tongue, inflammation in the small intestine) were found in the group fed T-2 and HT-2 toxin contaminated feed on day 21 compared to control. Fusarium moulds are widespread in the temperate climate, producing trichothecene mycotoxins, e.g. T-2 toxin, HT-2 toxin, T-2 triol and T-2 tetraol (Scott 1990) Due to their occurrence and diverse effects, in particular impairment of the immune response (Weber et al 2008), these mycotoxins have great importance in animal nutrition. The trichothecene mycotoxins, such as T-2 toxin and its metabolites compromise the growth rate and development of poultry (Leeson et al 1995), and affect the antioxidant status (Atroshi et al 2002; Rizzo et al 1994; Weber et al 2007), primarily due to their prooxidant effect (Mézes et al 1998; Surai 2002). The objective of the present study was to evaluate the long-term effect of feeding T-2 toxin contaminated diet on the growth, rate of lipid peroxidation, and on the glutathione redox status of broiler chickens during the growing period.

Objectives

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Conclusion