Aflatoxins in duck production-a review Banerjee S.1, Behera R.2, Panda S.1, Jena G. R.1, Kumar D.2,*, Naik P. K.2, Swain B. K.2, Mishra S. K.2, Beura C. K.2 College of Veterinary Science, Odisha University of Agriculture & TechnologyBhubaneswar, Odisha-751003, India 1CVSc&AH, OUAT, Bhubaneswar 2ICAR-DPR Regional Station, Bhubaneswar *Correspondence: dhiruvet@gmail.com
Online published on 10 November, 2022. Abstract Aflatoxins are fungal toxins produced by fungi Aspergillus, mainly A. flavus, A. parasiticus and A. nomius. The toxin includes B1, B2, G1, G2, M1, and M2 of which B1 (AFB1) is the most carcinogenic and hazardous to animals, birds and human beings having high potential to cause aflatoxicosis. The primary exposure to AFB1 occurs via contaminated feed. High temperature, humidity in fields, improper storage and presence of broken grain facilitates mycotoxins accumulation in feed. Liver is the prime site of metabolism where AFB1 is converted by hepatic cytochromes P450 (CYP) enzymes into the reactive and electrophilic exo-AFB1–8, 9 epoxide (AFBO). AFBO binds to guanine residues resulting in DNA mutations and hepatic cancer. Ducks are unable to metabolize aflatoxins efficiently and hence considered to be highly susceptible for aflatoxicosis. Median lethal dose for ducklings is 0.34 to 0.56 mg/kg body weight compared with 6.5 to 16.5 mg/kg body weight for chicks. Aflatoxins negatively affect growth and production in ducks. Many researchers have documented elevated serum AST, ALT, ALP, and GGT indicating hepatocyte damage in AFB 1 intoxicated ducks. Aflatoxins causes granular degradation, cytoplasm vacuolation and fatty dystrophy of liver, negatively affects kidney function and suppresses the alternative complement activation pathway, suppressing immune system of ducks. Therefore, it is highly necessary to adopt strategies like proper storage of feed ingredients in cool and dry conditions to check fungal contamination, supplementation of antioxidants viz; vitamin E, selenium, beta-carotene, lycopene etc. in feed and use of mycotoxin binders for minimizing the toxin effect. Top Keywords Aflatoxins, Duck, Mycotoxins. Top |