Decreased reproductive potential and reduced feed consumption in mature white leghorn males fed aflatoxin

Abstract

A pair-feeding study was conducted to investigate the relative importance of ingestion of aflatoxin (20 microgram/g diet) versus decreased feed consumption in explaining the effects of dietary aflatoxin on reproduction. Fifty-eight mature White Leghorn males were divided among three groups - control, 0 microgram/g diet ad lib; aflatoxin, 20 micrograms/g diet ad lib; and pair-fed, 0 microgram/g diet pair fed to 20 micrograms/g group. Aflatoxin and pair-fed males consumed significantly less feed than controls during weeks 1 through 5 of the 8-week aflatoxin feeding period. Measures of reproductive potential (semen volume, testes weights, spermatocrit, and plasma testosterone) for pair-fed males were not significantly different from males fed aflatoxin, although both groups were significantly lower than control males. Measures of aflatoxicosis (liver weight, liver fat, and plasma albumin) for pair-fed males were not significantly different from control males, although both groups were significantly different from males fed aflatoxin. In conclusion, decreased feed consumption did not produce symptoms of aflatoxicosis but accounted for 60% of the effects of aflatoxin on reproduction. Therefore, aflatoxin has nutritional and toxicological effects on reproduction.U