ANIMAL AFLATOXICOSIS - FROM CLINICAL OBSE RVATIONS TO MECHANISMS OF ACTION

Aflatoxins are metabolites of Aspergillus sp fungi which are contamina nts of corn, peanut and cottonseed. Reduction of aflatoxins exposure i s necessary to avoid disease in humans and animals. In veterinary mede cine, the major effects of acute and sub-acute aflatoxicosis are hepat ic necrosis and bile duct proliferation. Chronic aflatoxicosis are res ponsible for economical losses because of slow growth and decreased fe ed conversion efficiency. Hepatic carcinomas are also observed in some animal species. Histopathological and biochemical events following an imal exposure explain the aflatoxins mechanism of action.