EFFECTS OF A HYDRATED SODIUM-CALCIUM ALUMINOSILICATE (T-BIND(TM)) ON MYCOTOXICOSIS IN YOUNG BROILER-CHICKENS

Experiments were conducted to determine the ability of a hydrated sodi um calcium aluminosilicate (T-Bind(TM)) sorbent to reduce the toxicity of aflatoxins (AF) or T-2 toxin in male broiler chickens from day of hatch to 21 d of age. In Experiment 1, the sorbent was added at 0.250 or 0.375% to diets containing AF at 5 or T-2 toxin at 8 mg/kg of diet. When compared with controls, AF reduced BW gain by 27% and T-2 toxin reduced BW gain by 17%. The addition of the sorbent at 0.250 or 0.375% , in the absence of added mycotoxins, did not alter the performance of the chicks. The sorbent reduced the toxic effects of 5 mg AF/kg of di et on BW gain by 43% but did not significantly diminish the toxic effe cts of 8 mg T-2 toxin/kg of diet. The decreased efficiency of feed uti lization and the increased relative organ weights caused by AF were si gnificantly diminished to differing degrees by the sorbent. Oral lesio ns caused by T-2 toxin were not affected by the sorbent. In Experiment 2,the sorbent was added at 0.80% to a diet containing 8 mg T-2 toxin/ kg of diet. The sorbent did not diminish the toxic effects of T-2 toxi n when added at 0.80% of the diet. These data demonstrate that this sp ecific sorbent can provide protection against the toxicity of AF,but n ot T-2 toxin, in young broiler chicks.