ARS | Publication request: INDIVIDUAL AND COMBINED EFFECTS OF MONILIFORMIN PRESENT IN FUSARIUM FUJIKUROI CULTURE MATERIAL AND FUMONISIN PRESENT IN FUSARIUM MONILIFORME CULTURE MATERIAL IN LAYING HENS

Submitted to: Poultry Science Association Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: October 1, 1996
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: White Leghorn laying hens (24 wk of age) were fed control diets or diets containing 50 or 100mg/kg moniliformin (M) present in Fusarium fujikuroi material, 100 or 200mg/kg fumonisin B1 (FB1) from Fusarium moniliforme culture material or a combination of 50mg M and 100mg FB1/kg for 112 days. Each treatment consisted of four replicates of six hens. Egg production was reduced by approximately 50% and egg weights and body weights were reduced in only the hens fed the diet containing 100mg M/kg. Relative weights of the heart were significantly increased in the hens fed the diet containing 100mg/kg; whereas, relative weights of the liver were reduced in hens fed diets containing 50 or 100mg M/kg or 50mg M and 100mg FB1/kg. Several changes in serum biochemical values and enzyme activities due to dietary treatment were observed. Toxic synergy between M and FB1 was not observed. Results indicate that laying hens may be able to tolerate relatively high dietary concentrations of M and FB1 without adversely affecting health and performance. The likelihood of encountering M or FB1 at these concentrations in finished feed is small. However, under field conditions, other stress factors could alter the impact of these mycotoxins on the health and performance of poultry.