Electroretinograms from broilers fed aflatoxin and T-2 toxin.

Thirty chicks were fed a commercial broiler grower ration from hatching to 26 days of age. Ten birds received aflatoxin (5 microgram/g. of ration) and 10 received T-2 toxin (5 microgram/g. of ration). The remaining 10 birds served as controls. After the 26 days, electroretinograms were recorded on a graphic recorder from the anesthetized birds. On the basis of wave amplitudes and durations from electroretinograms recorded in light and darkness and from different colored stimuli, no differences were detectable between treated birds and controls. Thus, the photochemistries of the retina were not sufficiently altered in this study to permit early detection of mycotoxicoses by electroretinograms.