SEROHEMATOLOGIC ALTERATIONS IN BROILER CHICKS ON FEED AMENDED WITH FUSARIUM-PROLIFERATUM CULTURE MATERIAL OR FUMONISIN B-1 AND MONILIFORMIN

Two hundred twenty-eight male broiler chicks (Columbia x New Hampshire ) were given feed amended with autoclaved culture material of Fusarium proliferatum containing fumonisin B-1 (FB1) at 61, 193, and 546 ppm, fumonisin B-2 (FB2) at 14, 38, and 98 ppm, and moniliformin at 66, 193 , and 367 ppm in 3 separate feeding trials (amounts of toxin in each t rial, respectively). Birds were started on amended rations at days 1, 7, and 21 and continued on their respective ration until they were 28 days old. Purified FB1 (125, 274 ppm) and moniliformin (27, 154 ppm) w ere given separately and in combination (137 and 77 ppm, respectively) , starting on day 1 and continuing for 14 days. Of serum chemistry par ameters, only glucose was significantly decreased. Significant increas es were noted in serum cholesterol, sodium, alkaline phosphatase, aspa rtate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenas e, and gamma-glutamyl transferase. Of the hematologic parameters, sign ificant decreases were noted in red blood cell counts, hemoglobin, pac ked cell volume, and white blood cell counts. Immunologic changes incl uded impaired anti-Newcastle disease antibody hemagglutination inhibit ion titers associated with relative decreases in total serum globulins and increases in albumin/globulin globulin ratios. The changes were n oted in all treatment groups when compared to controls.