The content of T-2 and HT-2 mycotoxins in feed and their infl uence on the digestibility of nutrients in broilers

Abstract

The purpose of the research was to study the content of T-2 and HT-2 toxins in feed and their eff ect on the digestibility of feed nutrients in broilers. The paper provides unique information on the contamination of the feed in the Russian Federation with T-2 and HT-2 toxins. The studies have beene performed using the most objective laboratory method of high-performance chromatography in tandem with mass spectrometry on modern equipment. New knowledge has been obtained about changes in the activity of digestive enzymes in the intestine and blood plasma in meat chickens when they consume feed with different levels of T-2 and HT-2 contamination with toxins. The presence of T-2 toxin at a dose of 1073±53,7 mcg/kg (exceeding the MAC by 10 times) and HT-2 toxin in the feed affects the digestive processes and the digestibility of feed nutrients in meat chickens. The infl uence of T-2 and HT-2 toxins on the digestibility of dry matter of feed, protein, and fat by meat chickens has been determined. The presence of mycotoxins in the feed did not affect the average live weight of broilers. Broiler chickens that consumed feed with mycotoxins lagged behind in growth by 3,8 %, and those who received a feed additive with contaminated feed by 2,7 % from the control group. The use of the feed additive Mycofix Plus 5,0 for the inactivation of mycotoxins in an amount of 1 kg/t when the feed was contaminated with 173 mcg/mg of T-2 and HT-2 toxins was rational and contributed to the improvement of the digestibility and use of feed nutrients by broilers and consequently their productivity.