INVESTIGATIONS ON TOXIC EFFECTS OF STERIG MATOCYSTIN IN SHEEP

119 isolates of 9 different species of Aspergillus which are known to produce sterigmatocystin were isolated from various feedstuffs used in Egypt. Screening of the pure culture of these isolates for the produc tion of sterigmatocystin revealed, that 52 % were toxin producers. A. versicolor was used to produce 0.12 to 4 mg sterigmatocystin/g dry mat ter. Sheep fed on a ration containing sterigmatocystin in an increasin g dose (2 - 16 mg/kg feed) for a period of 6 months showed no obvious signs of intoxication. Feed intake and appetite were good and not affe cted by the addition of the toxin in feed. Histopathological, haematol ogical and biochemical investigations revealed no significant differen ces between control animals and those fed the toxin.