This research was aimed at evaluating the effect of fumonisin B1 (FB1) on body weight and viscera (liver, kidney and heart) of laying Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica), due to the little toxicological data on this species. Four experimental groups of 32 commercial quails were designed and exposed to ingestion test with feed containing 0 (controls), 10, 50 or 250mg FB1 kg-1 feed, during 28 days. Birds of group 250mg FB1 kg-1 showed lower body weight (P<0.05). Relative weights of kidney and heart were similar (P>0.05) among treatments. However, the relative weight of liver increased (P<0.05) in quail of groups received 50 and 250mg FB1/kg. Histological changes were observed only in the liver of groups receiving 50 and 250mgFB1 kg-1, which caused moderate biliary duct hyperplasia and multiple foci of hepatic necrosis. The data indicated that AFB1 at levels above 50mg kg-1 in laying Japanese quail.
FB1; toxicity; histopathology; quail
