Aflatoxicosis: Lessons from Toxicity and Responses to Aflatoxin B 1 in Poultry

Melissa S. Monson, Roger A. Coulombe and Kent M. Reed
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Melissa S. Monson: Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St Paul, MN 55108, USA
Roger A. Coulombe: Department of Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences, College of Agriculture, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322, USA
Kent M. Reed: Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St Paul, MN 55108, USA

Agriculture, 2015, vol. 5, issue 3, 1-36

Abstract: This review is a comprehensive introduction to the effects of poultry exposure to the toxic and carcinogenic mycotoxin aflatoxin B 1 (AFB 1 ). The relationship between AFB 1 sensitivity and metabolism, major direct and indirect effects of AFB 1 , recent studies of gene expression and transcriptome responses to exposure, and mitigation strategies to reduce toxicity are discussed. Exposure to AFB 1 primarily occurs by consumption of contaminated corn, grain or other feed components. Low levels of residual AFB 1 in poultry feeds can cause reduction in growth, feed conversion, egg production, and compromised immune functions, resulting in significant economic costs to producers. Thus, AFB 1 acts as a “force multiplier” synergizing the adverse effects of microbial pathogens and other agents, and factors detrimental to poultry health. Domestic turkeys ( Meleagris gallopavo ) are one of the most sensitive animals known to AFB 1 due, in large part, to a combination of efficient hepatic bioactivation by cytochromes P450 1A5 and 3A37, and deficient hepatic glutathione- S -transferase (GST)-mediated detoxification. Because of their sensitivity, turkeys are a good model to investigate chemopreventive treatments and feed additives for their ability to reduce AFB 1 toxicity. Transcriptome analysis (RNA-seq) of turkey poults (liver and spleen) has identified AFB 1 -induced gene expression changes in pathways of apoptosis, carcinogenesis, lipid regulation, antimicrobial activity, cytotoxicity and antigen presentation. Current research focuses on further identifying the molecular mechanisms underlying AFB 1 toxicity with the goal of reducing aflatoxicosis and improving poultry health.

Keywords: turkey; aflatoxin B 1; hepatotoxicity; immunosuppression; feed additives; transcriptome; RNA-seq (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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