THE INDIVIDUAL AND COMBINED - EFFECTS OF THE FUSARIUM MYCOTOXINS MONILIFORMIN AND FUMONISIN B-1 IN TURKEYS

Fumonisin B-1 (FB1) and moniliformin (M) were supplied by Fusarium mon iliforme M-1325 and Fusarium fujikuroi M-1214 culture material, respec tively Turkeys were fed a control ration, or rations containing 200 mg FB1/kg, 100 mg M/kg, or a combination of both 200 mg FB1/kg and 100 m g M/kg feed from 1 to 21 days of age. These rations contained 0, 3.8, 1.0, and 4.8% culture material, respectively. In comparison to control s, turkeys fed FB1 had increased relative liver weights. Both aspartat e aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase were increased in poults fed FB1. Turkeys fed M had decreased feed intake and body weight gains and increased relative heart weights in comparison to controls. Poult s fed FB1 had moderate diffuse hepatocellular hyperplasia and poults f ed moniliformin had a loss of cardiomyocyte cross striations. Turkeys fed the ration containing both M and FB1 had al the above changes; how ever, no additive or synergistic effects were evident for any single p arameter measured. No treatment-related morbidity or mortality was obs erved in the study.