Lupine alkaloids in white and brown pullets: determination of mean lethal dose (DL50)

DL50 of total alkaloids, as well as of two individual alkaloids (spartein a nd lupanin) found in bitter lupine seeds were determined for ISAbrown and S havercross pullets. Three hundred chickens were used for each genetic line: 100 to calculate th e dosification of the alkaloids administered, 100 for the spartein dossific ation and 100 for the lupanin dosification. In order to determine the DL50, the maximal and minimal lethal dose had to be determined first. The three types of products were administered with a catheter directly to the crop. A fter alkaloids were administrated, birds were kept under observation for se veral hours. The results showed that DL50 for spartein was 655 (509-856) mg/kg for the I SAbrown line and 425 (303-544) mg/kg for the SHAVERcross line. DL50 for lup anin was 1.131 (929-1378) mg/kg (ISAbrown line) and 1.271 (1027-1573) mg/kg (SHAVERcross line). DL50 for total alkaloids in lupine seeds was 958 (854- 1070) mg/kg (ISAbrown line) and 961 (890-1037) mg/kg (SHAVERcross line). As a conclusion lupanin was the alkaloid that presented the highest DL50 va lues followed by the total alkaloids and finally spartein.