Carbohydrate metabolism in chicks after administration of toxins from a Phomopsis sp.

Soybeans inoculated with Phomopis sp. were incubated for weeks and then extracted with methanol and ether, and the culture filtrates were intubated into crops of chicks. Activities of glucose-6-phosphatase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in liver were increased, and glycogen stores and plasma glucose concentrations were reduced. Histologically, severe hepatocytic necrosis was found in chicks treated with the toxic culture filtrate. Significant clinical signs were loss of body weight and reduced feed consumption. The metabolic changes responsible for the findings are discussed.