The individual and combined effects of citrinin and ochratoxin A in broiler chicks.

Citrinin (CTN) and ochratoxin A (OA) were fed alone and in combination to broilers from day of hatch until 3 weeks of age. Dietary concentrations of 300 micrograms CTN/g and 3.0 micrograms OA/g were used. Birds fed CTN had significantly (P less than or equal to 0.05) lower body weights than controls on days 14 and 21 and increased water consumption on days 7, 14, and 21. Birds fed OA had significantly lower body weights than controls on days 7, 14, and 21 and increased water consumption on day 14. Birds fed CTN and OA in combination had lower body weights than controls and increased water consumption during the experiment, but the alterations were intermediate in severity when compared with those in birds fed CTN or OA alone. Birds fed OA alone or combined with CTN had higher liver and kidney weights than controls, but birds fed CTN alone had only higher kidney weights. Birds fed both CTN and OA had concentrations of serum constituents similar to those in birds fed OA alone, except the levels of cholesterol and triglycerides were not significantly different from those in the controls. Histological evaluation of the kidney indicated no lesions in birds fed CTN alone, but birds fed OA, alone or in combination with CTN, had increased tubular casts and tubular hyperplasia compared with controls. These data suggest that there were no additive or synergistic toxic interactions when 300 micrograms CTN/g and 3.0 micrograms OA/g were fed simultaneously to broiler chicks for 3 weeks. However, the severe growth depression resulting from OA and the increased water consumption associated with CTN toxicosis were ameliorated when CTN and OA were fed in combination. These data may be useful in diagnosing field cases of mycotoxicosis where both CTN and OA are involved.