Alex J. Bermudez

Efficacy of Turmeric (Curcuma longa), Containing a Known Level of Curcumin, and a Hydrated Sodium Calcium Aluminosilicate to Ameliorate the Adverse Effects of Aflatoxin in Broiler Chicks

A 3-wk feeding study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of turmeric (Curcuma longa) powder (TMP), containing a known level of curcumin, and a hydrated sodium calcium aluminosilicate (HSCAS; Improved Milbond-TX, IMTX, an adsorbent, Milwhite Inc., Houston, TX) to ameliorate the adverse effects of aflatoxin B(1) (AFB(1)) in broiler chicks. Four pen replicates of 5 chicks each were assigned to each of 7 dietary treatments, which included the basal diet not containing TMP, HSCAS, or AFB(1) (control); basal diet supplemented with 0.5% food grade TMP that contained 1.48% total curcuminoids (74 mg/kg); basal diet supplemented with 0.5% HSCAS; basal diet supplemented with 1.0 mg/kg AFB(1); basal diet supplemented with 0.5% TMP and 1.0 mg/kg AFB(1); basal diet supplemented with 0.5% HSCAS and 1.0 mg/kgAFB(1); and basal diet supplemented with 0.5% TMP, 0.5% HSCAS, and 1.0 mg/kg AFB(1). The addition of TMP to the AFB(1) diet significantly (P < 0.05) improved the weight gain of chicks, and the addition of HSCAS to the AFB(1) diet significantly (P < 0.05) improved feed intake and weight gain, and reduced relative liver weight. The addition of TMP or HSCAS and TMP with HSCAS ameliorated the adverse effects of AFB(1) on some of the serum chemistry parameters (total protein, albumin, cholesterol, calcium). Further, decreased antioxidant functions in terms of level of peroxides, superoxide dismutase activity, and total antioxidant concentration in liver homogenate due to AFB1 were also alleviated by the inclusion of TMP, HSCAS, or both. The reduction in the severity of hepatic microscopic lesions due to supplementation of the AFB(1) diet with TMP and HSCAS demonstrated the protective action of the antioxidant and adsorbent used in the present study.

Effects of Fusarium moniliforme culture material containing known levels of fumonisin B1 in ducklings.

Fusarium moniliforme culture material containing fumonisin B1 (FB1) was fed to white Pekin ducklings from 1 to 21 days of age. Four dietary treatments were prepared with 0, 100, 200, and 400 mg FB1/kg ration. Ducklings fed rations containing FB1 had a dose-dependent decrease in feed intake and weight gain. Increasing levels of FB1 in the ration were associated with increasing absolute organ weights of liver, heart, kidney, pancreas, and proventriculus. Liver sphinganine to sphingosine ratios increased significantly in ducklings fed FB1. Two of eight ducklings fed a ration containing 400 mg FB1/kg died prior to the termination of the experiment. Mild to moderate hepatocellular hyperplasia was evident in all ducklings fed FB1. Mild to moderate biliary hyperplasia was also noted in the liver sections of ducklings fed 400 mg FB1/kg in the ration. Ducklings, like other poultry, are relatively resistant to the toxic effects of FB1.

Acute Lead Toxicosis in Mourning Doves

Abstract Previous research has suggested that free-ranging mourning doves (Zenaida macroura) may ingest spent lead pellets, succumb to lead toxicosis, and die in a relatively short time (i.e., an acute lead toxicosis hypothesis). We tested this hypothesis by administering 157 captive mourning doves 2–24 lead pellets, monitoring pellet retention and short-term survival, and measuring related physiological characteristics. During the 19- to 21-day posttreatment period, 104 doves that received lead pellets died (deceased doves) and 53 survived (survivors); all 22 birds in a control group survived. Within 24-hr of treatment, blood lead levels increased almost twice as fast for deceased doves compared to survivors (F1,208 = 55.49; P < 0.001). During the first week, heterophil:lymphocyte (H:L) ratios increased twice as fast for deceased doves than with survivors (F1,198 = 23.14, P < 0.001). Posttreatment survival differed (χ2 = 37.4, P < 0.001) among the 5 groups of doves that retained different numbers of pellets, and survival ranged from 0.57 (95% CI: 0.44–0.74) for doves that retained ≤2 lead pellets 2 days posttreatment compared to 0.08 (95% CI: 0.022–0.31) for those doves that retained 13–19 lead pellets on 2 days posttreatment; significant differences existed among the 5 groups. After controlling for dove pretreatment body mass, each additional lead pellet increased the hazard of death by 18.0% (95% CI: 1.132–1.230, P < 0.001) and 25.7% (95% CI: 1.175–1.345, P < 0.001) for males and females, respectively. For each 1-g increase in pretreatment body mass, the hazard of death decreased 2.5% (P = 0.04) for males and 3.8% (P = 0.02) for females. Deceased doves had the highest lead levels in liver (49.20 ± 3.23 ppm) and kidney (258.16 ± 21.85 ppm) tissues, whereas controls showed the lowest levels (liver, 0.08 ± 0.041 ppm; kidney, 0.17 ± 0.10 ppm). For doves dosed with pellets, we observed simultaneous increases in blood lead levels and H:L ratios, whereas packed-cell volume (PCV) values declined. Our results support an acute lead toxicosis hypothesis. Although further research is necessary to investigate the magnitude of lead shot ingestion and toxicosis in mourning doves, we recommend that management agencies initiate development of a long-term strategic plan aimed at implementing a nontoxic shot regulation for mourning dove hunting.

THE INDIVIDUAL AND COMBINED EFFECTS OF THE FUSARIUM MYCOTOXINS MONILIFORMIN AND FUMONISIN B1 IN TURKEYS

Fumonisin B1 (FB1) and moniliformin (M) were supplied by Fusarium moniliforme M-1325 and Fusarium fujikuroi M-1214 culture material, respectively. Turkeys were fed a control ration, or rations containing 200 mg FB1/kg, 100 mg M/kg, or a combination of both 200 mg FB1/kg and 100 mg M/kg feed from 1 to 21 days of age. These rations contained 0, 3.8, 1.0, and 4.8% culture material, respectively. In comparison to controls, turkeys fed FB1 had increased relative liver weights. Both aspartate aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase were increased in poults fed FB1. Turkeys fed M had decreased feed intake and body weight gains and increased relative heart weights in comparison to controls. Poults fed FB1 had moderate diffuse hepatocellular hyperplasia and poults fed moniliformin had a loss of cardiomyocyte cross striations. Turkeys fed the ration containing both M and FB1 had all the above changes; however, no additive or synergistic effects were evident for any single parameter measured. No treatment-related morbidity or mortality was observed in the study.

EFFECTS OF IMPLANTED RADIOTRANSMITTERS ON CAPTIVE MOURNING DOVES

Previous mourning dove (Zenaida macroura) telemetry studies using transmitter glue attachment have found the technique to be relatively short term (<10 weeks), and that transmitter harnesses possibly have deleterious effects on doves. To improve attachment methods, we developed and refined surgical techniques for implanting subcutaneous and intra-abdominal radiotransmitters with external whip antennas in mourning doves, and we determined physiological and pathological responses to the transmitter implants. We used a captive colony of 200 wild-trapped mourning doves to develop and test procedures for subcutaneous implants (SC1), subcutaneous surgeries without implants (SC2), intra-abdominal implants (IA1), intra-abdominal sur- geries without implants (IA2), and a control group without surgeries or implants (CNT); 20 males and 20 females were assigned to each experimental group. Surgeries for IA1 took less time (3.58 t 0.17 min; i? + SE; P < 0.001) than SC1 surgeries (4.36 ? 0.12 min). Heterophil:lymphocyte ratios showed that IA1 and IA2 doves had higher (P = 0.024) posttreatment changes compared with SC1, SC2, or CNT groups. At 4-6 days postsurgery, 153 of 160 (95.6%) doves with surgical treatments showed closed or healed surgical sites with no complications. At 14 days posttreatment, 34 (87%) SC1 implants were located in the thoracic inlet. Gross necropsy findings at 10 weeks postsurgery found that 36 of 39 (92%) SC1 and 36 of 39 (92%) IA1 implants showed little or no tissue response to the implants. Functioning transmitters began failing 2 weeks posttreat- ment, and 85% were not working at 10 weeks posttreatment. Our data suggest subcutaneous implants with external antennas were a better alternative compared to intra-abdominal implants with external antennas, but further testing is needed to compare subcutaneous implants to conventional attachment techniques.

Antioxidant efficacy of curcuminoids from turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) powder in broiler chickens fed diets containing aflatoxin B1

A 3-week-feeding study (1-21 d post-hatch) was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of total curcuminoids (TCMN), as an antioxidant, to ameliorate the adverse effects of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in broiler chickens. Turmeric powder (Curcuma longa L.) that contained 2.55 % TCMN was used as a source of TCMN. Six cage replicates of five chicks each were assigned to each of six dietary treatments, which included: basal diet; basal diet supplemented with 444 mg/kg TCMN; basal diet supplemented with 1.0 mg/kg AFB1; basal diet supplemented with 74 mg/kg TCMN and 1.0 mg/kg AFB1; basal diet supplemented with 222 mg/kg TCMN and 1.0 mg/kg AFB1; basal diet supplemented with 444 mg/kg TCMN and 1.0 mg/kg AFB1. The addition of 74 and 222 mg/kg TCMN to the AFB1 diet significantly (P < 0.05) improved weight gain and feed efficiency. Increase (P < 0.05) in relative liver weight in birds fed AFB1 was significantly reduced (P < 0.05) with the addition of 74, 222 and 444 mg/kg TCMN to the AFB1 diet. The inclusion of 222 mg/kg TCMN ameliorated the adverse effects of AFB1 on serum chemistry in terms of total protein, albumin and gamma-glutamyl transferase activity. The decreased antioxidant functions due to AFB1 were also alleviated by the inclusion of 222 mg/kg TCMN. It is concluded that the addition of 222 mg/kg TCMN to the 1.0 mg/kg AFB1 diet demonstrated maximum antioxidant activity against AFB1.

Effects on Turkey Poults of Feeding Fusarium moniliforme M-1325 Culture Material Grown under Different Environmental Conditions

The effects of feeding Fusarium moniliforme M-1325 culture material (CM), grown under different environmental conditions, were studied in turkey poults. Poults were fed a control diet or diets containing four levels of FB1 (75, 150, 225, or 300 mg/kg) prepared from F. moniliforme M-1325 cultures that produced 7800 (CM1) or 4000 mg FB1/kg (CM2). F. moniliforme M-1325 CM that produced a low concentration of FB1 (350 mg FB1/kg) was also used to prepare an additional diet containing 75 mg FB1/kg (CM3). Dose-dependent decreases in feed intake and body-weight gains and dose-dependent increases in liver weights and serum sphinganine (SA) to sphingosine (SO) ratios were observed in poults fed CM1 or CM2. Poults fed CM3 consumed more feed and had lower body-weight gains than controls or poults fed CM1 or CM2 (at 75 mg FB1/kg). Poults fed CM3 also had increased liver weights and SA:SO ratios compared with control poults. Generalized hepatocellular hyperplasia was observed in all FB1 treatment groups. Biliary hyperplasia was evident in turkeys fed 150 to 300 mg FB1/kg. Results indicate that at equivalent dietary FB1 levels, F. moniliforme cultures producing different concentrations of FB1 differ in their effects on turkey poults.

In vitro and in vivo efficacy of a hydrated sodium calcium aluminosilicate to bind and reduce aflatoxin residues in tissues of broiler chicks fed aflatoxin B1

The aim of this study was to determine the binding capacity of a hydrated sodium calcium aluminosilicate (HSCAS) for aflatoxin B(1) (AFB(1)), and the efficacy of the HSCAS to reduce the concentrations of residual AFB(1) and its metabolites in the liver and kidney of broilers fed AFB(1). One hundred 1-d-old male broilers (Ross 708) were maintained in chick batteries and allowed ad libitum access to feed and water. A completely randomized design was used with 5 replicate pens of 5 chicks assigned to each of 4 dietary treatments from hatch to 21 d. Dietary treatments included the following: A) basal diet (BD), with no HSCAS or AFB(1), B) BD supplemented with 0.5% HSCAS only, C) BD supplemented with 2.5 mg of AFB(1)/kg of feed, and D) BD supplemented with 2.5 mg of AFB(1)/kg of feed and 0.5% HSCAS. On d 21, 5 chicks from each treatment were anesthetized with carbon dioxide, killed by cervical dislocation, and samples of liver and kidney were collected for analysis of AFB(1) residues. The percentage of AFB(1) bound for each concentration of adsorbent (100, 10, 1, 0.5, 0.25, and 0.05 mg/10 mL) was 100, 91.1, 81.8, 75.4, 40.1, and 8.8%, respectively. Concentrations of aflatoxin residues (AFB(1), aflatoxicol, aflatoxins B(2) and G(1)) were lower (P < 0.05) in livers and kidneys of birds fed AFB(1) plus HSCAS (diet D), when compared with birds fed AFB(1) alone (diet C). However, histopathology data from the in vivo study indicated that HSCAS did not prevent lesions associated with aflatoxicosis. The decrease in the bioavailability of AFB(1) caused by the HSCAS reduced aflatoxin residues in liver and kidney, but not enough to completely prevent the toxic effects of AFB(1) in broilers.

The Chronic Effects of Fusarium moniliforme Culture Material, Containing Known Levels of Fumonisin B1, in Turkeys

Fourteen 1-day-old male turkeys were randomly assigned to two adjacent floor pens and fed balanced rations containing 0 and 75 mg fumonisin B1 (FB1)/kg for 18 weeks. Inclusion of FB1 in the ration caused decreased body weight gain on weeks 4, 10, and 12 during the trial. Turkeys fed 75 mg FB1/kg had significantly heavier livers after treatment for 18 weeks. Chronic FB1 exposure resulted in an increased total white blood cell count, absolute heterophil count, absolute lymphocyte count, and heterophil-to-lymphocyte ratio. No mortality was noted in turkeys in either treatment group. Turkeys are relatively resistant to chronic FB1 exposure.

Monitoring Presence and Annual Variation of Trichomoniasis in Mourning Doves

Abstract Information about the annual variation of trichomoniasis in mourning doves (Zenaida macroura) may be important in understanding mechanisms affecting mourning dove populations. The objectives of this study were to monitor the presence and annual variation of Trichomonas gallinae for 6 yr in a local mourning dove population using hunter-killed doves. During 1998–2003, 4052 hunter-killed doves were sampled for the presence of T. gallinae; 226 (5.6%) tested positive (4.4%–10.6% range). Results of the monitoring effort were relatively consistent during the 6-yr period, with the presence of T. gallinae being within the range of previously reported estimates for mourning doves. Asymptomatic carriers in one segment of the dove population may provide a mechanism for spreading the disease to other segments of the mourning dove population.