The intestinal T-2 and HT-2 toxins, intestinal and fecal digestive enzymes, morphological and biochemical blood indices in broilers (Gallus gallus L.) with experimentally induced T-2 toxicosis

At present over 400 mycotoxins have been identified with mutagenic, teratogenic, embryotoxic, allergenic, and immunosuppressing properties, suppressing cellular and humoral immunity. Trichothecene mycotoxins are prevalent on the territory of Russian Federation, the most abundant and hazardous being T-2 and NT-2 toxins inducing gastroenterites, necroses of skin and mucosa of the oral cavity, disturbances in the function of central nervous system. The exposure limit for T-2 toxin in feeds for poultry is established in SanPiN 2.3.2.1078-1 at 100 mg/kg. Mycotoxin induced injuries of the organs are preceded by functional disturbances affecting the hematological status and enzymatic reactions in the digestive tract; the most exact data on these disturbances can be obtained by in vivo experiments on fistulated birds. We used this approach in our study in combination with the analyses of mycotoxin concentrations in lyophilized samples of duodenal chyme and feces by high-performance liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC MS/MS). The aim of the study was the investigation of the T-2 toxin in the gastrointestinal tract and the effects of the toxin on the intestinal activities of the digestive enzymes and morphological and biochemical blood indices in cross Smena 8 broilers with experimentally induced T-2 toxicosis. Birds with chronic duodenal fistulae were fed the feeds contaminated with T-2 toxin in doses from 100 mg/kg (corresponding to the exposure limit statutorily set for chicken) to 400 mg/kg for 2 weeks. The measurements of the T2 toxin in the duodenal chyme and feces evidenced the transformation of T-2 to NT-2 toxin in the intestine and intense absorption of the latter into the bloodstream since its concentration in feces was significantly lower in compare to the duodenal chyme. All dietary doses of T-2 increased the duodenal activities of the total proteases (by 46.3-96.6 %, p function show_eabstract() { $('#eabstract1').hide(); $('#eabstract2').show(); $('#eabstract_expand').hide(); }