Effects of T-2 toxin on reproductive performance and health of laying hens.

Purified T-2 toxin was fed to S.C.W.L. hens at levels of 0 (control), 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0 and 8.0 p.p.m. of an otherwise balanced diet. Feed consumption, egg production and shell thickness were significantly (P less than 0.05) decreased in hens fed 8 p.p.m. as compared with control hens. The fertility and progeny performance were not depressed by feeding T-2 toxin, but the hatchability of fertile eggs of hens fed 2 and 8 p.p.m. was significantly (P less than 0.05) lower than that of hens fed the control diet. The weights of liver, heart, gizzard and spleen were not influenced by T-2 toxin. Serum levels of alkaline phosphatase, LDH and uric acid of hens fed high concentrations of T-2 toxin were greater than those of control hens. SGPT in hens fed 8.0 p.p.m. was lower when compared with control hens. No outward changes in hematocrit, hemoglobin, erythrocyte, leukocyte and differential leukocyte counts were noted with feeding T-2 toxin. Most hens fed T-2 toxin developed oral lesions: circumscribed proliferative yellow caseous plaques at the margin of the beak, mucosa of the hard palate and angle of the mouth, and tongue. The incidence and severity of lesions were proportional to the dietary level of T-2 toxin. The only other lesion observed in necropsy examination at the end of the experiment was the small mucosal ulcer in the anterior portion of the gizzard in hens fed high levels of T-2 toxin. Microscostrointestinal tract, etc.) revealed no significant pathological change except the necrotic lesions in the gizzard and crop.