Feed refusal in swine fed ochratoxin-contaminated grain sorghum: evaluation of toxicity in chicks.

In an episode of feed refusal in a swine herd, feed specimens were found to be contaminated with mycotoxin. Grain sorghum, the chief ingredient of the swine diet, was found to be the source of contamination and contained 5 mg of ochratoxin/kg of feed. Incorporation of the grain into poultry diets induced renal and hepatic lesions, reduced weight gains, decreased feed utilization, and altered serum uric acid, blood urea nitrogen, and serum creatinine concentrations in chicks.