Effect of long term feeding and withdrawal of aflatoxin B1 and ochratoxin A on kidney cell transformation in albino rats.

Subacute doses (1/20 LD50) of aflatoxin B1 and ochratoxin A were fed to weanling albino rats individually and in combination for 36 weeks and then rats were maintained on toxin free normal diet for a period of 24 weeks. Livers of rats were fatty, wherever aflatoxin was administered but the enzyme activity did not show significant differences among various groups. However, in a few individuals whose livers were severely affected, higher concentrations of urine creatinine, liver RNA and DNA, and ALT enzyme activity were recorded. Histopathological examination showed various stages of hepatoma and hepatocarcinoma including nodular hyperplasia, hypertrophy, vacuolisation, degeneration, pseudolobulation, cellular infiltration and fibrosis of liver of rats fed with aflatoxin individually and in combination. Few anaplastic cells in the corticomedullary region and nuclear enlargement of proximal tubular epithelium of kidney were found wherever combined toxin and ochratoxin alone were administered. Liver tumor expression was time dependent.     

Effect in rats of simultaneous prenatal exposure to ochratoxin A and aflatoxin B1. II. Histopathological features of teratological anomalies induced in fetuses

The histopathological features of various abnormalities induced by different doses of ochratoxin A (OA), aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), and their combination in rat fetuses were studied. The pregnant Wistar rats were orally treated during 6-15 gestation days with different doses of OA (0.125, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 mg/kg), AFB1 (0.125, 0.25, 0.50, 1.00 mg/kg), and their combination (0.125+0.125, 0.25+0.50, 0.50+0.25 mg/kg). The fetal sections passing through liver, kidney, brain, heart, and eyes were selected from the fetuses given visceral examination representing each litter. The selected sections were processed for paraffin embedding, stained with H and E, and examined by light microscopy. The histological examination of the fetal organs revealed that OA, AFB1, and their combination treatments caused variable changes in internal organs. In the case of OA, the incidence of pathological lesions liver, kidney, brain, and eye lesions was high, whereas in AFB1 treatment, liver, brain, kidney, and heart were affected. The incidence of heart lesions, especially valvular defects, increased in the combination groups. Bile duct proliferation/new bile duct formation, defective ossification of cranial bones, exposure of the brain to the exterior, hypoplasia of cerebellum, and retinal defects observed in OA treatment and spinal cord defects in addition to liver, kidney, and brain changes observed in AFB1 were less severe in the combination groups. The present study indicates that the occurrence of brain, kidney, and liver lesions in combination treatment was less than in either individual treatment suggesting antagonism of OA-induced teratogenic effects by AFB1. The indication of subtle lesions due to an interference with normal development and arrest of differentiation in various internal organs observed in the present study suggests that microscopic examination of the tissues can provide additional useful information to a developmental toxicity study.     

Intestinl fragility during ochratoxicosis and aflatoxicosis in broiler chickens.

Graded concentrations of dietary ochratoxin (0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0, and 8.0 microgram/g) and aflatoxin (0, 0.625, 1.25, 2.5, 5.0, and 10.0 microgram/g) were fed to broiler chicks from hatching to 3 weeks of age. The breaking strength of the large intestines was decreased significantly (P < 0.05) by ochratoxin (2, 4, and 8 microgram/g), but not by aflatoxin. This fragility was accompanied by an increase in the weight of the large intestine relative to body weight of birds fed ochratoxin (4.0 and 8.0 microgram/g), whereas aflatoxin had no significant (P < 0.05) effect on this parameter. Lipid content of the large intestine was decreased significantly (P < 0.05) by aflatoxin (10.0 microgram/g) and increased by ochratoxin (8.0 microgram/g). Microscopic examination of cross sections of large intestines stained for collagen gave the impression of a great decrease in collagen content of birds fed ochratoxin, but not aflatoxin. The radial length of the collagenous longitudinal folds of the large intestine was decreased significantly (P < 0.05) by ochratoxin (2.0, 4.0, and 8.0 microgram/g). These observations, plus a field case characterized by intestinal ruptures causing carcass condemnations on the processing line and by the occurrence of aflatoxin and ochratoxin in the chicken feed, suggest a novel way in which mycotoxins cause economic loss to agriculture.     

Malnutrition sequela on the drug metabolizing enzymes in male Holtzman rats

The effect of food restriction on the specific activities of the drug metabolizing enzymes (DME) system was studied in Holtzman male rats by comparing DME activities in 90-day-old control rats fed ad libitum (CO), rats fed 40% restricted food (RF) from the gestation period to the day of sacrifice, and recovered rats (rRF) fed 40% restricted food from period of gestation to 45 days of age and then fed ad libitum until the day of sacrifice. In liver, total cytochrome P450 (CYP) of the RF and rRF groups was higher by approximately 50% and 28%, respectively, than in CO rats. Specific activities of individual CYP monooxygenases (MO) such as CYP2B [7-methoxycoumarin demethylase (MOCD)], CYP1A [aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) and ethoxyresorufin deethylase (EORD)], and CYP2E [nitrosodimethylamine demethylase (NDMAd)] were 31, 61, 43, and 56% in RF and 16, 36, 26, and 32% in rRF groups, respectively, more than the CO values. Conjugases such as UDP- glucuronosyltransferases with substrates 3-OH benzo(a)pyrene (UGT1) and 4-hydroxybiphenyl (UGT2) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) with substrate 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene were higher by 72, 69, and 33% in RF and 28, 38, and 24% in rRF groups, respectively. MO activities (MOCD and EORD) were significantly higher in lung, kidney, and intestine: MOCD by 82, 48, and 45% in RF and 40, 25, and 22% in rRF, respectively; and EORD by 84, 77, and 67% in RF and 40, 33, and 28% in rRF, respectively. However, activity of conjugases (UGT1 and GST) were significantly lower (approximately 35-45%) in RF and rRF rats (approximately 20-30%) than in the CO group in above mentioned extrahepatic tissues. These studies indicate that undernourishment during the period of gestation, weanling, and growth and development of microsomal enzymes produces a sequela of events on the DME in hepatic and extrahepatic tissues that cannot return to the control values even when fed ad libitum.     

Effects on meat quality and black bone incidence of elevated dietary vitamin levels in broiler diets challenged with aflatoxin

Vitamins play an essential role in broiler nutrition. They are fundamental for normal metabolic and physiological process, and their requirements for poultry are not fixed and can be affected by multiple factors. In contrast, mycotoxins are a challenging issue because they hinder performance and the immune system. Vitamin supplementation above minimum requirements would permit improvement in productive potential, health, bone and meat quality in a situation of mycotoxin challenge. The objective of this study was to determine the influence of optimum vitamin nutrition in diets contaminated with aflatoxin in broilers from 1 to 44 days of age. A total of 1800 Cobb 500 male chicks were randomized to 15 sets of eight treatment groups, each containing 15 birds using a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial design (commercial vitamin levels and high vitamin levels, two levels of aflatoxin – 0 and 0.5 ppm with binder levels of 0 and 10 000 mg/kg). The mash diets were corn and soybean meal based, formulated according to commercial practices. Feed intake, weight gain and feed conversion were analyzed for birds from 1 to 44 days of age. To determine carcass characteristics (carcass yield, breast yield and leg yield) and black bone syndrome, two birds were slaughtered from each group at 45 days. Other analyses included breast tenderness, water loss by dripping and malonaldehyde concentrations. The results demonstrated that broilers that were fed high levels of vitamins showed better weight gain, feed conversion, carcass yield and breast yield than broilers that were fed diets with commercial vitamin levels (P < 0.05); also, broilers that were fed diets containing 0.5 ppm aflatoxin had lower weight gain, carcass yield and breast yield (P < 0.05). The use of 10 000 mg/kg of binder improved (P < 0.05) feed conversion throughout the rearing period. We conclude that aflatoxin negatively affects performance and carcass yield; however, feeding optimum vitamin nutrition improved these performance traits.     

Dogfish liver and kidney tissue respiration after zinc treatment

Tissue oxygen consumption in liver and kidney of dogfish Scyliorhinus canicula L. were measured by manometric techniques after two types of zinc treatment: in vitro (1, 15, 60 and 180 ppm) and in vivo (subacute 10 ppm/21 days, and acute 80 ppm/24 hr). All in vitro treatments exert a strong inhibitory effect in both tissues. In vivo treatment affects liver tissue respiration at the acute dose. Subacute treatment shows no effects in both tissues. Results are discussed related to previous data on gill tissue respiration and zinc tissue accumulation in the dogfish.     

Effects of dietary paraffin, squalane and sucrose polyester on residue disposition and elimination of hexachlorobenzene in rats

Previous studies have shown addition of light liquid paraffin to enhance the elimination of organochlorine xenobiotics. In the present study the effect of paraffin on the elimination of [¹⁴C]hexachlorobenzene (HCB) was compared with the effect of possible alternative compounds, squalane and sucrose polyester (SPE). Four groups of 7 rats were fed a diet containing 1.5 ppm [¹⁴C]HCB for 4 days followed by 10 days on HCB-free diet. Thereafter one group (control) remained on this diet whereas the other 3 groups received a diet supplemented with 8% (w/w) paraffin, squalane or SPE, respectively. Radioactivity in urine and faeces was measured daily and at the end of the experiment in samples of abdominal fat, muscle, liver, kidney and blood. Dietary treatment with either paraffin, squalane or SPE markedly enhanced faecal excretion of [¹⁴C]HCB, whereas urinary excretion was not affected. Both the time course as well as the extent of faecal [¹⁴C]HCB elimination were similar in the treated groups. After 3 weeks of treatment the amount of [¹⁴C]HCB excreted with faeces was about three times higher in treated animals than in controls. The half-life (t_1/2) of [¹⁴C]HCB elimination from the body was markedly decreased in treated animals (mean 34–38 days) compared to controls (110 days). [¹⁴C]HCB concentrations in some major tissues were significantly reduced to the same extent by all three dietary regimens. Thus squalane and SPE are as effective as paraffin in removing HCB from contaminated animals.     

Melatonin reduces oxidative stress induced by ochratoxin A in rat liver and kidney

Melatonin (MEL) displays antioxidant and free radical scavenger properties. In the present study, the effect of MEL on the oxidative stress induced by ochratoxin A (OTA) administration in rats was investigated. Four groups of 15 rats each were used: controls, MEL-treated rats (5 mg/kg body mass), OTA-treated rats (250 μg/kg) and MEL+OTA-treated rats. After 4 weeks of treatment, the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), a lipid peroxidation product (LPO) were measured in serum and homogenates of liver and kidney. Also, the levels of glutathione (GSH), and activities of glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GSPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) in liver and kidney were determined. In OTA-treated rats, the levels of LPO in serum and in both liver and kidney were significantly increased compared to levels in controls. Concomitantly, the levels of GSH and enzyme activities of SOD, CAT, GSPx and GR in both liver and kidney were significantly decreased in comparison with controls. In rats received MEL+OTA, the changes in the levels of LPO in serum and in liver and kidney were not statistically significant compared to controls. Concomitantly, the levels of GSPx, GR and GST activities in both liver and kidney tissues were significantly increased in comparison with controls. Similar increases in GSPx, GR and GST activities were also observed in MEL-treated rats when compared with controls. In conclusion, the oxidative stress may be a major mechanism for the toxicity of OTA. MEL has a protective effect against OTA toxicity through an inhibition of the oxidative damage and stimulation of GST activities. Thus, clinical application of melatonin as therapy should be considered in cases of ochratoxicosis.     

Peroxisomal oxidases and catalase in liver and kidney homogenates of normal and di(ethylhexyl)phthalate-fed rats.

1. Activities of peroxisomal oxidases and catalase were assayed at neutral and alkaline pH in liver and kidney homogenates from male rats fed a diet with or without 2% di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) for 12 days. 2. All enzyme activities were higher at alkaline than at neutral pH in both groups. 3. The effect of the DEHP-diet on the peroxisomal enzymes was different in kidney and liver. Acyl-CoA oxidase activity was raised three- and sixfold in kidney and liver homogenates, respectively. The activity of D-amino acid oxidase decrease in liver, but increased in kidney homogenates. In liver homogenates, urate oxidase activity was not affected by the DEHP diet. The catalase activity was twofold induced in liver, but not in kidney. 4. The differences suggest that the changes of peroxisomal enzyme activities by DEHP treatment are not directly related to peroxisome proliferation. 5. DEHP treatment caused a marked increase of total and peroxisomal fatty acid oxidation in rat liver homogenates. 6. In the control group the rate of peroxisomal fatty acid oxidation was higher at alkaline pH than at neutral pH. 7. This rate was equal at both pH values in the DEHP-fed group, in contrast to the acyl-CoA oxidase activity. These results indicate that after DEHP treatment other parameters than acyl-CoA oxidase activity become limiting for peroxisomal beta-oxidation.     

Production of aflatoxin by Aspergillus parasiticus NRRL-2999 during growth in the presence of curing salts

Aspergillus parasiticus NRRL-2999 was inoculated into meat mixtures with curing salts and into yeast extractsucrose (YES) and sucrose-ammonium salts (SAS) broth with and without curing salts to determine if the presence of curing salts significantly affected growth and aflatoxin production by the mold. The effect of individual curing salts or curing salt mixtures on growth and toxin elaboration by the aspergillus was substrate dependent. When YES broth contained 100 ppm of NaNO₂, 2% NaCl, or 1 or 2% NaCl plus 200 ppm of NaNO₂ or 200 ppm of NaNO₃, growth and/or aflatoxin production was depressed. Biosynthesis of aflatoxin B₁ was enhanced by presence of 1 and 4% NaCl in YES broth. The SAS broth containing only NaCl or NaCl combined with nitrite or nitrate yielded less aflatoxin than did control broth or no aflatoxin at all. When compared to the control, an increase in growth and amount of aflatoxin occurred in SAS broth which contained 200 ppm of NaNO₃. Sausages containing 100 and 200 ppm NaNO₂ and no NaCl supported more mold growth and aflatoxin production than did control sausage with 3 % NaCl and 100 ppm of NaNO₂. Addition of 2 and 3 % NaCl and no nitrite to sausage resulted in less aflatoxin than in control sausage.     

A 43 kD protein isolated from the herb Cajanus indicus L attenuates sodium fluoride-induced hepatic and renal disorders in vivo

The herb, Cajanus indicus L, is well known for its hepatoprotective action. A 43 kD protein has been isolated, purified and partially sequenced from the leaves of this herb. A number of in vivo and in vitro studies carried out in our laboratory suggest that this protein might be a major component responsible for the hepatoprotective action of the herb. Our successive studies have been designed to evaluate the potential efficacy of this protein in protecting the hepatic as well as renal tissues from the sodium fluoride (NaF) induced oxidative stress. The experimental groups of mice were exposed to NaF at a dose of 600 ppm through drinking water for one week. This exposure significantly altered the activities of the antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), glutathione reductase (GR) and the cellular metabolites such as reduced glutathione (GSH), oxidized glutathione (GSSG), total thiols, lipid peroxidation end products in liver and kidney compared to the normal mice. Intraperitoneal administration of the protein at a dose of 2 mg/kg body weight for seven days followed by NaF treatment (600 ppm for next seven days) normalized the activities of the hepato-renal antioxidant enzymes, the level of cellular metabolites and lipid peroxidation end products. Post treatment with the protein for four days showed that it could help recovering the damages after NaF administration. Time-course study suggests that the protein could stimulate the recovery of both the organs faster than natural process. Effects of a known antioxidant, vitamin E, and a non-relevant protein, bovine serum albumin (BSA) have been included in the study to validate the experimental data. Combining all, result suggests that NaF could induce severe oxidative stress both in the liver and kidney tissues in mice and the protein possessed the ability to attenuate that hepato-renal toxic effect of NaF probably via its antioxidant activity.     

Combined administration of N-acetylcysteine and monoisoamyl DMSA on tissue oxidative stress during arsenic chelation therapy

The present study deals with the therapeutic potential of combined administration of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) along with monoisoamyl DMSA (MiADMSA) against chronic arsenic poisoning in guinea pigs. Animal were exposed to 50 ppm arsenic in drinking water for 8 mo and subsequently treated for 5 consecutive days with 100 mg/kg NAC (orally) and MiADMSA (intraperitoneally), individually or in combination (50 mg/kg each). Arsenic exposure produced a significant depletion of blood δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydrate (ALAD) activity, increased the blood zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP) level, and reduced blood and liver glutathione (GSH) levels in guinea pigs. Hepatic oxidized glutathione (GSSG) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) levels showed a marked increase, whereas hepatic alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity decreased and acid phosphatase (ACP) activity increased on arsenic exposure. Significant depletion of liver transaminase activities on arsenic exposure suggests organ injury. Administration of MiADMSA, alone and in combination with NAC after arsenic exposure, was able to significantly enhance hepatic GSH and to reduce GSSG and TBARS levels compared to the arsenic control. Biochemical variables indicative of liver injury generally remained insensitive to any of these treatments. The recoveries in parameters indicative of oxidative stress were more marked in guinea pigs treated with combined administration of NAC and MiADMSA than monotherapy. Interestingly, there was a more pronounced depletion of arsenic from blood and tissues after combined treatment with NAC plus MiADMSA than MiADMSA. Blood and tissues copper, zinc, iron, and calcium concentrations showed a significant increase after arsenic exposure, which showed improvement, particularly after combined administration of MiADMSA and NAC. Based on these data, a proposal can be made that greater effectiveness in chelation treatment against chronic arsenic poisoning (i.e., turnover in the oxidative stress and removed of arsenic from the system) could be achieved by combined administration of an antioxidant (preferably having a thiol moiety) with MiADMSA.     

Effects of diet and of alloxan-diabetes on the activity of branched-chain 2-oxo acid dehydrogenase complex and of activator protein in rat tissues.

The total activities (sum of active and inactive forms) of branched-chain 2-oxo acid dehydrogenase complex in tissues of normal rats fed on a standard diet were (unit/g wet wt.): liver, 0.82; kidney, 0.77; heart, 0.57; hindlimb skeletal muscles, 0.034. Total activity was decreased in liver by 9%- or 0%-casein diets and by 48 h starvation, but not by alloxan-diabetes. Total activities were unchanged in kidney and heart. The amount of active form of the complex (in unit/g wet wt. and as % of total) in tissues of normal rats fed on standard diet was: liver, 0.45, 55%; kidney, 0.55, 71%; heart, 0.03, 5%; skeletal muscle less than 0.007, less than 20% (below lower limit of assay). The concentration of the active form of the complex was decreased in liver and kidney, but not in heart, by low-protein diets, 48 h starvation and alloxan-diabetes. In heart muscle alloxan-diabetes increased the concentration of active complex. The concentration of activator protein (which activates phosphorylated complex without dephosphorylation) in liver and kidney was decreased by 70-90% by low-protein diets and 48 h starvation. Alloxan-diabetes decreased activator protein in liver, but not in kidney. Evidence is given that in tissues of rats fed on a normal diet approx. 70% of whole-body active branched chain complex is in the liver and that the major change in activity occasioned by low-protein diets is also in the liver.     

Protective Effects of Selenium,Zinc, or Their Combination on Cadmium-Induced Oxidative Stress in Rat Kidney

The present study was conducted to investigate whether the combined treatment with Se and Zn offers more beneficial effects than that provided by either of them alone in reversing Cd-induced oxidative stress in the kidney of rat. For this purpose, 30 adult male Wistar albino rats, equally divided into control and four treated groups, received either 200 ppm Cd (as CdCl₂), 200 ppm Cd + 500 ppm Zn (as ZnCl₂), 200 ppm Cd + 0.1 ppm Se (as Na₂SeO₃), or 200 ppm Cd + 500 ppm Zn + 0.1 ppm Se in their drinking water for 35 days. The results showed that Cd treatment decreased significantly the catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities, whereas the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and the renal levels of lipid peroxidation (as malondialdehyde, MDA) were increased compared to control rats. The treatment of Cd-exposed rats with Se alone had no significant effect on the Cd-induced increase in the MDA concentrations but increased significantly the CAT activities and reversed Cd-induced increase in SOD activity. It also partially prevented Cd-induced decrease in GSH-Px activity. The treatment of Cd-exposed animals with Zn alone increased significantly the CAT activity and partially protected against Cd-induced increase in the MDA concentrations, whereas it had no significant effect on the Cd-induced increase in SOD activity and decrease in GSH-Px activity. The combined treatment of Cd-exposed animals with Se and Zn was more effective than that with either of them alone in reversing Cd-induced decrease in CAT and GSH-Px activities and Cd-induced increase in MDA concentrations. Results demonstrated beneficial effects of combined Se and Zn treatment in Cd-induced oxidative stress in kidney and suggest that Se and Zn can have a synergistic role against Cd toxicity. I. Messaoudi and J. El Heni have equally contributed to this work.     

Virological and Serological Findings in Rousettus aegyptiacus Experimentally Inoculated with Vero Cells-Adapted Hogan Strain of Marburg Virus

The Egyptian fruit bat, Rousettus aegyptiacus, is currently regarded as a potential reservoir host for Marburg virus (MARV). However, the modes of transmission, the level of viral replication, tissue tropism and viral shedding pattern remains to be described. Captive-bred R. aegyptiacus, including adult males, females and pups were exposed to MARV by different inoculation routes. Blood, tissues, feces and urine from 9 bats inoculated by combination of nasal and oral routes were all negative for the virus and ELISA IgG antibody could not be demonstrated for up to 21 days post inoculation (p.i.). In 21 bats inoculated by a combination of intraperitoneal/subcutaneous route, viremia and the presence of MARV in different tissues was detected on days 2–9 p.i., and IgG antibody on days 9–21 p.i. In 3 bats inoculated subcutaneously, viremia was detected on days 5 and 8 (termination of experiment), with virus isolation from different organs. MARV could not be detected in urine, feces or oral swabs in any of the 3 experimental groups. However, it was detected in tissues which might contribute to horizontal or vertical transmission, e.g. lung, intestines, kidney, bladder, salivary glands, and female reproductive tract. Viremia lasting at least 5 days could also facilitate MARV mechanical transmission by blood sucking arthropods and infections of susceptible vertebrate hosts by direct contact with infected blood. All bats were clinically normal and no gross pathology was identified on post mortem examination. This work confirms the susceptibility of R. aegyptiacus to infection with MARV irrespective of sex and age and contributes to establishing a bat-filovirus experimental model. Further studies are required to uncover the mode of MARV transmission, and to investigate the putative role of R. aegyptiacus as a reservoir host.     

Levels of lipid peroxidation, superoxide dismutase, and Na+/K+ ATPase in some tissues of rats exposed to a Nigerian-like diet and cadmium

The purpose of the present study was to examine the role of a wholly compounded Nigerian-like diet on the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Na+/K+ ATPase and level of lipid peroxidation in oral cadmium toxicity. Nine-week-old Wistar albino rats (100 +/- 2.0 g) were exposed to 100 ppm cadmium in drinking water and the Nigerian-like diet (low in protein and high in carbohydrates and fiber) for 16 wk. The results obtained indicate that cadmium reduced weight gain and increased fecal output of rats, which was further potentiated by the Nigerian-like diet. Cadmium was concentrated in the intestine, liver, and kidney, with the highest level observed in the kidney, followed by the liver. The Nigerian-like diet reduced the concentration of cadmium in these tissues. Cadmium increased lipid peroxidation and inhibited SOD and Na+/K+ ATPase in the tissues. These were also aggravated in rats fed the Nigerian-like diet. Because the Nigerian-like diet increased lipid peroxidation and inhibited SOD and Na+/K+ ATPase in the tissues, it rendered rats more susceptible to cadmium toxicity.     

Incidence of obstructive uropathy in male B6C3F1 mice on a 24-month carcinogenicity study and its apparent prevention by ochratoxin A

A 24-month study assessed the carcinogenic potential of the nephrotoxic mycotoxin ochratoxin A (OA) in B6C3F1 mice. Three groups of 50 males and 50 females were fed 0.1 or 40 ppm OA in the diet. Obstructive urinary tract disease (mouse urological syndrome [MUS]) accounted for the greatest number of spontaneous deaths in the male mice of control (12/50) and 1 ppm (13/50) dose groups, but the disease was not observed in the males fed 40 ppm OA. The earliest age of onset of clinical signs of MUS was 4 months and the average age of onset was 10.1 months. The first death from MUS was observed at 5 months and average age at death was 12.2 months. The mice were caged in groups of five mice per cage and clustering of cases of MUS was observed. Properties of OA which may be important to its preventive effect include inhibition of growth of gram positive bacteria and the production of polyuria as a result of renal proximal tubular damage.     

Metabolism of aflatoxin, ochratoxin, zearalenone, and three trichothecenes by intact rumen fluid, rumen protozoa, and rumen bacteria

The effect of rumen microbes on six mycotoxins (aflatoxin B1, ochratoxin A, zearalenone, T-2 toxin, diacetoxyscirpenol, and deoxynivalenol ) considered to be health risks for domestic animals was investigated. The mycotoxins were incubated with intact rumen fluid or fractions of rumen protozoa and bacteria from sheep and cattle in the presence or absence of milled feed. Rumen fluid had no effect on aflatoxin B1 and deoxynivalenol . The remaining four mycotoxins were all metabolized, and protozoa were more active than bacteria. Metabolism of ochratoxin A, zearalenone, and diacetoxyscirpenol was moderately or slightly inhibited by addition of milled feed in vitro. The capacity of rumen fluid to degrade ochratoxin A decreased after feeding, but this activity was gradually restored by the next feeding time. Ochratoxin A was cleaved to ochratoxin alpha and phenylalanine; zearalenone was reduced to alpha-zearalenol and to a lesser degree to beta-zearalenol; diacetoxyscirpenol and T-2 toxin were deacetylated to monoacetoxyscirpenol and HT-2 toxin, respectively. Feeding of 5 ppm (5 mg/kg) of ochratoxin A to sheep revealed 14 ppb (14 ng/ml) of ochratoxin A and ochratoxin alpha in rumen fluid after 1 h, but neither was detected in the blood. Whether such conversions in the rumen fluid may be considered as a first line of defense against toxic compounds present in the diet is briefly discussed.     

Metabolism of aflatoxin, ochratoxin, zearalenone, and three trichothecenes by intact rumen fluid, rumen protozoa, and rumen bacteria.

The effect of rumen microbes on six mycotoxins (aflatoxin B1, ochratoxin A, zearalenone, T-2 toxin, diacetoxyscirpenol, and deoxynivalenol ) considered to be health risks for domestic animals was investigated. The mycotoxins were incubated with intact rumen fluid or fractions of rumen protozoa and bacteria from sheep and cattle in the presence or absence of milled feed. Rumen fluid had no effect on aflatoxin B1 and deoxynivalenol . The remaining four mycotoxins were all metabolized, and protozoa were more active than bacteria. Metabolism of ochratoxin A, zearalenone, and diacetoxyscirpenol was moderately or slightly inhibited by addition of milled feed in vitro. The capacity of rumen fluid to degrade ochratoxin A decreased after feeding, but this activity was gradually restored by the next feeding time. Ochratoxin A was cleaved to ochratoxin alpha and phenylalanine; zearalenone was reduced to alpha-zearalenol and to a lesser degree to beta-zearalenol; diacetoxyscirpenol and T-2 toxin were deacetylated to monoacetoxyscirpenol and HT-2 toxin, respectively. Feeding of 5 ppm (5 mg/kg) of ochratoxin A to sheep revealed 14 ppb (14 ng/ml) of ochratoxin A and ochratoxin alpha in rumen fluid after 1 h, but neither was detected in the blood. Whether such conversions in the rumen fluid may be considered as a first line of defense against toxic compounds present in the diet is briefly discussed.     

Effect of time and sex on tissue selenium concentrations in chicks fed practical diets supplemented with sodium selenite or calcium selenite

An experiment was conducted with 384 1-d-old male and female broiler-chicks. The basal corn-soybean meal diet (.07 ppm Se DM basis) was supplemented with 0, .1, .2, or .3 ppm added Se as either sodium selenite (Na2SeO3) or calcium selenite (CaSeO3), and fed for 1, 3, or 5 wk. There was no effect of Se source or level on feed intake or gain, but males consumed more (P less than .01) feed than females. There was no effect (P greater than .10) of sex or Se source on plasma, liver, or kidney Se concentration. The Se concentration of all tissues increased (P less than .01) with time and increasing dietary Se concentration. Based on multiple regression slope ratios of liver, kidney, and plasma Se concentrations, Se from CaSeO3 was as available (103%) as Se from Na2SeO3.