INDIVIDUAL AND COMBINED EFFECTS OF AFLATOXIN AND GIZZEROSINE IN BROILER-CHICKENS

1. The individual and combined effects of aflatoxin B-1 (AFB(1)) and D L-gizzerosine (GIZZ) in growing broiler chickens were investigated in a 7-d fully randomised trial consisting of 7 dietary treatments (1 and 4 mg GIZZ/kg, 0.66 and 3 mg AFB(1)/kg, the combinations 1 mg GIZZ/kg/ 0.66 mgAFB(1)/kg and 4 mg GIZZ/3 mg AFB(1)/kg, and a control basal die t without GIZZ or AFB(1)). 2. Dietary GIZZ at 1 mg/kg caused moderate gizzard erosions without affecting performance, whereas 4 mg/kg GIZZ i nduced severe erosion, ulceration and perforation of the gizzard, and significantly affected performance. 3. Dietary AFB(1) at 0.66 or 3 mg/ kg did not induce lesions in the gizzard or cause any adverse effects on chick performance. 4. No apparent toxicologic interaction was obser ved between AFB(1) and GIZZ when they were given simultaneously at rel atively low dietary concentrations (0.66 mg/kg AFB(1) + 1 mg/kg GIZZ). However, at higher dietary concentrations (3 mg/kg AFB(1) + 4 mg/kg G IZZ), AFB(1) potentiated the lethality of GIZZ. 5. The combination 3 m g/kg AFB(1)/4 mg/kg GIZZ was more toxic than the same concentrations o f single toxins and may pose a greater economic threat to the poultry producer than either toxin individually.