BIOCHEMICAL EFFECTS OF AFLATOXIN IN PIGS

Biochemical changes accompanying the development of aflatoxicosis were observed in young pigs maintained for approximately 4 months on diets containing various amounts of the metabolites of Aspergillus flavus. These diets provided concentrations of aflatoxin B1 ranging from 2 to 810 parts per billion (ppb). During the feeding period, serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, and isocitric dehydrogenase became elevated. Other factors in blood, namely, plasma albumin, albumin: globulin ratio, nonprotein nitrogen, urea nitrogen, and adenine nucleotides (E260 values) all decreased. At autopsy the concentration in the liver of glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase, isocitric dehydrogenase, lipid, vitamin A, glycogen, and total nitrogen decreased as a function of increasing dietary aflatoxin. These changes are discussed in relation to time of development and dietary level of aflatoxin. The lowest level of aflatoxin for which a biochemical response was detected was 51 ppb. Reproduction studies with sows and boars maintained on 450 ppb aflatoxin for 8-10 months failed to show any biochemical effects in the offspring which could be attributed to aflatoxin poisoning, even though such alterations were evident in the parents. © 1969.