The individual and combined effects of citrinin and ochratoxin A on renal ultrastructure in layer chicks.

Layer chicks fed 3.0 micrograms of ochratoxin A (OA) and 300 micrograms of citrinin (CTN) per gram of feed, alone and in combination, were evaluated for changes in renal ultrastructure. Feeding OA from 0 to 21 days of age was associated with proximal tubular intranuclear membrane-bound inclusions, elongated tortuous and ring-shaped mitochondria, enlarged mitochondrial matrix granules with hyaline centers, and an increase in number and size of peroxisomes and secondary lysosomes. Birds fed OA from 0 to 7 days and then given untreated ration had similar changes but to a lesser degree. Feeding CTN from 0 to 21 days of age was associated with similar proximal tubular nuclear inclusions, elongated tortuous and ring-shaped mitochondria, and an increase in size and number of peroxisomes and secondary lysosomes. Hyalinized mitochondrial matrix granules were not present, and some proximal tubular cells had cytoplasmic aggregates of smooth endoplasmic reticulum. Birds fed CTN from 0 to 7 days had similar but milder changes. Birds fed CTN + OA for 21 days had changes similar to those fed OA alone and also had cytoplasmic aggregates of smooth endoplasmic reticulum similar to those of CTN-fed birds. Again, changes in birds fed CTN + OA for 7 days were similar but milder.