An investigation of the toxicity of fumonisin B-1 (FB1), a toxic metabolite
of Fusarium moniliforme, in broiler chicks was conducted. Purified FB1 (98
.1% pure) was incorporated into the diets of broiler chicks at 0, 20, 40, a
nd 80 mg/kg, and fed to chicks from 0 to 21 d of age. Dietary FB1, at conce
ntrations of 80 mg/kg or less, did not adversely affect body weight, feed e
fficiency, or water consumption of broiler chicks. The relative weights of
the liver, spleen, kidney, proventriculus, and bursa of Fabricius were also
unaffected (P < 0.05) by any dietary concentration of FB1 compared with th
e control (0 mg/kg) group. Total liver lipids of chicks fed 40 or 80 mg FB1
/kg were significantly lower than those of the chicks fed either 0 or 20 mg
FB1/kg of feed. Liver sphinganine concentration and the sphinganine:sphing
osine ratio were increased significantly in all treated groups. Chicks fed
dietary FB1 at 80 mg/kg had significantly higher serum glutamate oxaloaceta
te aminotransaminase:aspartate aminotransferase ratios and levels of free s
phinganine in the serum. The results of this investigation agree with the r
esults previously described, in which FB1 was supplied to diets from the us
e of F. moniliforme-contaminated grain; therefore, the use of such material
as the source of the mycotoxin in animal feeding studies is appropriate.