Effects of aflatoxin M1 intake at physiologic levels on newborn dairy calves.

When aflatoxin-contaminated grain is consumed by dairy cows, aflatoxin M1 is excreted in the milk. Sixteen neonatal male Holstein calves were given milk which had been collected from cows given 5 to 6 mg of aflatoxin B1 each day. The calves were examined for possible detrimental effects of the mycotoxin at pseudophysiologic concentrations. Calves were allotted to 1 of 4 groups given different milk dietary aflatoxin M1 concentrations: group 1--given 0 microgram of aflatoxin M1/L (undetectable); group 2--given 0.5 microgram/L; group 3--given 1 microgram/L; and group 4--given 2 micrograms/L. Whole milk equal to 8% of body weight was fed daily and adjusted each week to maintain this ratio. Water and a 15% crude protein complete calf starter ration were offered ad libitum for the 6-week feeding study. Weekly blood samples were collected via jugular venipuncture and analyzed for serum alkaline phosphatase and aspartate aminotransferase activities. Daily means for milk dry matter intake (in kg) and complete ration intake (in kg) for the calf groups were as follows: 0.46 and 0.36 for group 1; 0.46 and 0.25 for group 2; 0.42 and 0.18 for group 3; and 0.49 and 0.40 for group 4. Significant differences in complete ration and total dry matter intake were noted. The average daily gains (in kg) and gains in height at withers (in cm) were 0.39 and 4.1 for group 1; 0.36 and 4.0 for group 2; 0.29 and 5.7 for group 3; and 0.42 and 5.1 for group 4.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)