ABSTRACT
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of dietary aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and fumonisin B1 (FB1) on the seric levels of aspartate amino-transferase (AST) and total protein of broiler chicks. The mycotoxins were added to rations, singly and in combination, at levels of 0, 50 and 200 ?g AFB1/kg, and 0, 50 and 200 mg FB1/kg. A completely randomized 3 x 3 factorial design was used, with 9 treatments and 12 replications per treatment (total: 108 birds). Broilers were fed the contaminated rations from days-of-age 8 to 41. At 41 days of age, the concentration of AST increased (p < 0.05) in all groups receiving AFB1 and FB1, with the exception of birds fed 50 mg FB1/kg alone. Higher levels of AST were found in broilers fed the highest levels of AFB1, and an additive effect was observed in the association treatments 50 ?g AFB1/kg and 50 or 200 mg FB1/kg. Total protein decreased (p < 0.05) at 28 days of age in groups receiving 200 ?g AFB1/kg alone or in combination with FB1. However this reduction was not found at 41 days of age. In conclusion, AFB1 and FB1, singly or in combination at the levels studied, cause an increase in the serum levels of AST and a decrease of total proteins after 20 days of continuous exposition through the diet.
KEY WORDS
AFB; FB1; broilers chickens; toxic effects