EVALUATION OF LOW-LEVEL AFLATOXIN IN THE DIET OF WHITE-TAILED DEER

We evaluated the response of white-tailed deer (WTD) (Odocoileus virgi nianus) to dietary aflatoxin. Fourteen 4-to-5-mo-old WTD were used in this 8-wk study, conducted between November 1993 and January 1994. Sev en animals received a ration containing 800 parts per billion (ppb) to tal aflatoxin (AF). Seven control animals received the same ration wit hout AF. At 0, 1, 3, 6 and 8 wk, feed consumption, feed conversion, li ver enzymes, bile acid levels, and immune function via lymphocyte prol iferation assays and delayed type hypersensitivity reactions were dete rmined. At the conclusion of the 8-wk feeding trial, deer were euthani zed and necropsied. Clinical illness was not evident in any of the ani mals, but by the end of the study, AF-fed deer had reduced feed consum ption and body weight as compared to control deer; the differences wer e not statistically significant. The AF-exposed group had a significan t increase (P = 0.03) in serum bile acid concentration as compared to control deer. Two AF-exposed deer had gross and histologic hepatic les ions indicative of a mild degenerative hepatopathy. Residues of an afl atoxin metabolite, aflatoxin M(1), were found in the livers of all tre ated animals. No differences in immune function were detected between tile two groups. We conclude that consumption of 800 ppb AF in the die t of young WTD over an 8-wk period can produce subclinical hepatic inj ury.