EFFICACY OF A HYDRATED SODIUM CALCIUM ALUMINOSILICATE TO REDUCE THE TOXICITY OF AFLATOXIN AND T-2 TOXIN

A hydrated sodium calcium aluminosilicate (HSCAS) was incorporated into diets (.5%) containing 3.5 mg of aflatoxin (AF) per kg and 8.0 mg of T-2 toxin (T-2) per kg, singly, and in combination. Male broiler chicks (n = 480) were provided with feed and water for ad libitum consumption from 1 to 21 days of age. Body weight gains were significantly depressed by AF and T-2, singly, and further decreased by the combination of the two toxins. Efficiency of feed utilization was not affected. The AF alone and the AF plus T-2 combination caused increases in relative liver, kidney, proventriculus, gizzard, spleen, and pancreas weights. Treatment-related changes in hematological and serum biochemical values and enzyme activities were observed. Oral lesions were observed only in chicks receiving the T-2 diets. The HSCAS fed singly did not alter any of the parameters measured but it did diminish the toxicity of AF for many parameters but did not appear to alter the toxicity of T-2. Addition of HSCAS to the AF plus T-2 combination diet diminished some of the effects of the toxin combination. These findings indicate that HSCAS can diminish many of the adverse effects of dietary AF in the chicken, but it has no effect on T-2 toxicity.