M. Abdelhamid

Aflatoxin B1 Level in Relation to Child’s Feeding and Growth

ObjectiveTo study the influence of sociological factors, breast feeding and weaning on aflatoxin exposure in children as well as to determine the effect of aflatoxin exposure on child’s growth.MethodsA questionnaire, administered to the mothers of forty-six children, obtained information on the child’s age, sex, residence, feeding, weaning and general health status. Maternal parity, education and occupation were also collected. Height for age Z-score (HAZ) and weight for age Z-score (WAZ) of children were calculated at the time of recruitment. TLC analysis was performed for aflatoxin B1 level in studied children and their mothers.ResultsAflatoxin B1 was detected in 17 out of 46 (36.96%) of children’s serum at a median concentration of 51.61 (30.565–62.795) ppm and in 17 out of 46 (36.96%) of mother’s serum at a median concentration of 50 (35.59–84.93) ppm. Aflatoxin B1 level was neither affected by child’s age, sex, residence whether rural or urban, maternal age, parity, education nor occupation. Aflatoxin B1 in breastfed patients was significantly lower than in non-breastfed ones (p = 0.034). Weight for age Z-score (WAZ) showed no significant difference between aflatoxin B1 negative and positive cases (p = 0.422) while height for age Z-score (HAZ) was significantly lower in aflatoxin B1 positive compared to negative cases (p = 0.001). A significant positive correlation between aflatoxin B1 in the present cases and their mothers (r = 0.881, p = 0.0001) and a significant negative correlation between aflatoxin B1 in present cases and their height-z-score (HAZ) (r = −0.460, p = 0.001) was detected.ConclusionsBreast feeding results in lower aflatoxin exposure. Also, a strong association between aflatoxin exposure and impaired child’s growth exists.

Study of aflatoxin B1 as a risk factor that impairs the reproductive performance in females – Egypt

Infertility among couples in Egypt is causing increasing concern. Investigations showed a relationship between ovulatory disorders and the incidence of female factor-mediated fertility difficulties in couples. However, the factors responsible for the sudden increase in ovulatory disorders are not fully understood. The aim of this study was to assess the presence of aflatoxin in sera of infertile women and to correlate this with ovarian functions and hormonal parameters. Blood samples were collected from 70 adult Egyptian females comprising 50 infertile and 20 fertile control individuals, and screened for the presence of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). Ovarian function was examined by measuring mean ovarian volume, and the umber and size of ovarian follicles. Blood hormonal levels were determined. All blood samples (patients and controls) showed negative results as regards AFB1 analysis. However, there was a significant enlargement in the mean ovarian volume but a significant decrease in follicular size. In addition, there were significant higher levels of lutinizing hormone (LH) and significant lower levels of mid-luteal progesterone in infertile females. Although blood samples were negative with respect to AFB1, the role of aflatoxin cannot be excluded as a contributing factor to female infertility, since the toxin was found to produce deleterious effects on the reproductive system in animals. More studies including aflatoxin analysis in ovarian biopsies are recommended to ascertain involvement of this toxin.

Possible Effects of Feeding Fish the Dried - Treated Sewage on Bioaccumulation of Metals , Morphological Lesions and Mortality Rate

A feeding field experiment was conducted for 102 days, using a polyculture system (Nile tilapia, silver carp, common carp, and African catfish at a rate 1: 1: 1: 1) in two Hapas, one for control fish fed a commercial diet and the second one fish were fed on a dried sewage sludge (DSS). The control diet, DSS, fish body and muscles were analyzed for metals contents. Throughout the experimental period, any symptoms and death cases were recorded. From the obtained results, it was clear that DSS contained very high percentage of ash and very low percentages of ether extract (EE) and total carbohydrate percentages comparing with the diet of the control group. It was found that DSS contains higher levels of P, Cu, Pb, and Cd than the commercial control diet. The P and Cd levels were higher in DSS fed fish than the control ones, regardless of the fish species. However, catfish body contained the highest level of P and Cu but silver carp body contained the highest Pb and Cd levels. The interaction effect (dietary treatment × fish species) was significant, except for Cu. The control fish muscles presented higher contents of Cu, Pb, and Cd, but the opposite was true for P, where the DSS fed fish contained significantly higher level of P in their muscles than the control fish, silver carp contained significantly higher Cu and Cd and tilapia contained the highest level of Pb in the muscles comparing with the other fish species, regardless of the dietary treatment. The interaction effect was significant. Fish fed on DSS were darker with friable livers comparing with the control fish. Concerning mortality rate, when the fish were fed on the DSS, silver and common carps were more tolerant than the Nile tilapia and catfish. Therefore, it is recommended to give more concern on food and water quality (environmental friendly) used in aquaculture to offer safe products for human consumption.