NEPHROTOXICITY DURING AFLATOXICOSIS

Consumption of aflatoxin-contaminated feed ((15 mg kg(-1)) by young ra bbits for 60 days caused a significant reduction in body weight. Both the absolute and relative weight of the kidney increased, though non-s ignificantly. Activities of aspartate aminotransferase and glucose-6-p hosphatase rose significantly in the kidney of aflatoxin-fed rabbits. In addition, succinic dehydrogenase activity declined while the activi ties of acid and alkaline phosphatase and alanine aminotransferase inc reased, though not significantly. Serum analysis revealed a significan t reduction in the level of protein, whereas the creatinine concentrat ion increased, in aflatoxin-fed rabbits. Dietary aflatoxicosis also si gnificantly raised the protein and creatinine contents of urine. We co nclude that the consumption of aflatoxin-contaminated feed has nephrot oxic effects in rabbits.