Caprine aflatoxicosis: serum electrophoresis and pathologic changes.

Pathologic changes and serum electrophoretic patterns were determined in 30 male goats given aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) orally at 4 dosage levels (mg/kg of body weight/day): 0.1 for 34 days; 0.2 for 18 days; 0.4 for 10 days; or 0.0 for 29 days. Goats given AFB1 had increased mean concentrations of gamma-globulins and most had decreased mean concentrations of beta-globulins, although these changes in serum proteins were not significant (P greater than 0.05). At necropsy, ascites, pale livers, petechial hemorrhages, nasal discharge, and icterus were present. Microscopic changes included bile ductule proliferation, hepatocytic karyomegaly, hepatocellular degeneration, pneumonia, rhinitis, and proximal renal tubular nephrosis. Goats given the 2 smaller dosage levels of AFB1 lived longer and had more severe lesions. Goats may be a good model for the study of ruminant aflatoxicosis.