Effects of aflatoxin on the immune system of the chick

J Appl Toxicol. 1989 Aug;9(4):271-5. doi: 10.1002/jat.2550090412.

Abstract

A decreased antibody response to injected sheep red blood cells and weight losses to the extent of 25-38% were observed in the bursa Fabricii and thymus in chicks fed an aflatoxin diet (10% w/w) for 3 weeks. The immune organs did not show any significant histopathological changes. The antibody titre decreased from day 6 of treatment onward until the 15th day, when the antibody titre had disappeared completely in the test chicks. The body weight gain was also less in test chicks (9.7-37.3%) given test feed or test feed along with Salmonella pullorum in water (10(8) cfu ml 1) in comparison to chicks given toxin-free diet and water after 3 weeks of feeding trials. The disappearing component in the test chicks' liver homogenate was found to be antigenic by immunoelectrophoretic studies.

MeSH terms

  • Aflatoxins / toxicity*
  • Animals
  • Antibody Formation / drug effects
  • Antigens / analysis
  • Body Weight / drug effects
  • Bursa of Fabricius / drug effects
  • Bursa of Fabricius / immunology
  • Chickens
  • Diet
  • Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel
  • Hemagglutinins / analysis
  • Humans
  • Immunity / drug effects*
  • Liver / drug effects
  • Liver / immunology
  • Spleen / drug effects
  • Spleen / immunology
  • Thymus Gland / drug effects
  • Thymus Gland / immunology

Substances

  • Aflatoxins
  • Antigens
  • Hemagglutinins