The effect of T-2 and HT-2 toxin using different doses in the starter (0-21 days: 1.04 mg T-2 toxin and 0.49 mg HT-2 toxin kg-1feed), and finisher diets (22-39 days: 0.12 mg T-2 toxin and 0.02 mg HT-2 toxin kg-1feed) was investigated in broiler chickens. Birds were divided into two groups fed with control and T-2 and HT-2 toxin contaminated diets. Pathological signs of toxicity were investigated on days 21 and 39 of the trial, individual liveweight was measured weekly. Five birds from each group were sacrificed on the 21st and 39th days of treatment, when blood plasma, red blood cell, liver and kidney samples were taken, in which malondialdehyde and reduced glutathione concentration and glutathione-peroxidase activity were determined. Pathological signs (lesions in the oral cavity and on the tongue, inflammation in the small intestine) were found in the group fed T-2 and HT-2 toxin contaminated feed on day 21 compared to control. Body weight was significantly lower as a result of feeding T-2 and HT-2 toxin contaminated diet. However, the contamination did not cause a significant increase of malondialdehyde content in the analysed tissues. Reduced glutathione content was significantly lower in the liver homogenate on day 39 than that of the control. Glutathione peroxidase activity also did not differ significantly in blood plasma, red blood cell haemolysates and kidney homogenates, while it was significantly higher in the liver homogenates of the mycotoxin-challenged birds. In conclusion, it can be stated that T-2 and HT-2 toxin exposure has long-term effects in broiler chickens.
Effect of T-2 and HT-2 Toxin during the Growing Period on Body Weight, Lipid Peroxide and Glutathione Redox Status of Broiler Chickens
