Effects of repeated intra-abdominal injections of sterigmatocystin on relative organ weights, concentration of serum and liver constituents, and histopathology of certain organs of the chick.

The objectives of the study were to establish the effects of five successive intra-abdominal injections of sterigmatocystin (STG), administered at 11, 13, 15, 17, and 19 days of age, on the growth pattern of chicks and their organs, and on the concentration of certain blood and liver constituents. The STG, when administered at dosages of .5 and .7 mg per injection, markedly reduced chick growth and affected organ weights. In general, there was an increase in the relative size of the crop, proventriculus, gizzard, large intestine, kidney and pancreas and a decrease in relative size of the bursa of Fabricius. Liver, heart, and spleen size was not affected. Peritonitis was observed in chicks given the high dosage STG. The STG elevated the activity of serum aspartate aminotransferase and the number of circulating granulocytes and depressed concentrations of total serum proteins, albumin, potassium, and the total number of circulating white blood cells and granulocytes. The STG treatment decreased the concentration of dry matter, DNA, RNA, and protein in the liver, affected glycogen concentration differentially, and had no effect on lipid concentration. Liver and kidneys also showed degenerative changes as detected histopathologically. The results of these studies suggest that STG affects several tissues including the digestive system, liver, kidney, pancreas, and the immunological system.