Blood serum protein status of broilers exposed to prolonged treatment witha low dose of ochratoxin A

The 42 day long trial was performed on Hybro broilers divided into four gro ups. After a 14 day preexperimental period, the groups were offered feed co ntaminated by 0.5 ppm ochratoxin A (OA) for 0, 7, 14 or 21 days. Blood samp les were taken after the period of toxin addition and the remaining birds f rom the control and experimental groups were normally fed with mash without added OA until the 42nd day of the trial, when blood samples were taken ag ain. The total level of serum proteins was not changed during of prolonged treat ment with OA, but a significant increase of albumin together with a decreas e of the gamma-globulin fraction were noted. A/G ratio suggested that globu lins were the dominant protein fraction in blood serum samples obtained fro m all broilers included in this trail. The concentrations of alpha and beta globulins in serum were within the physiological limits. It could be concl uded that the low dietary OA level (0.5 ppm) had a possible cumulative, but not acute effect on blood serum protein status in broilers, dependent on t he duration of exposure.