Seeds of the weed Datura ferox are frequent contaminants of raw materi
als used for animal feed. These seeds produce various toxic effects an
d contain mainly the alkaloids scopolamine and hyoscyamine. In this 3-
month toxicity study, a mixture of scopolamine and hyoscyamine (98:2)
was incorporated at four total alkaloid levels (1.5, 15, 75 or 150 mg/
kg feed) into a control diet fed to 100 broilers. Alkaloid feeding cau
sed significant reductions in the body weight gain of birds, especiall
y of those fed a dose of 150 mg alkaloid/kg feed. Growth-retarding eff
ects, however, were transient, as no changes in body weight gain were
noted after 52 days of alkaloid feeding. Alkaloid-treated broilers sho
wed no significant differences from controls with respect to the cardi
ac rate and breathing frequency nor in relation to plasma aspartate am
inotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase acti
vities. In contrast, plasma leucine aminopeptidase activity was signif
icantly reduced after 3 months in all alkaloid-fed birds. Autopsy and
histological examination of tissues by light and electron microscopy r
evealed no pathological changes associated with alkaloid feeding. Broi
lers appeared generally healthy and behaved normally throughout. These
data should be considered in the formulation of new, improved regulat
ions defining the maximum allowable alkaloid content of D. ferox seeds
contaminating raw materials destined for use as broiler feed.