Ochratoxicosis in White Leghorn hens.

As ochratoxin-producing fungi are often isolated from poultry feeds and from cereals used in compounding these feeds, a study has been made of the effects of feeding ochratoxin A (OA) to laying birds. Four groups of White Leghorn hens were fed 0, .5, 1, and 4 ppm in the feed respectively. Egg production and feed consumption declined in the three groups given OA, while egg and body weight were depressed only by feeding higher levels of OA. Fertility and hatchability were unaffected by feeding OA. Prothrombin times were increased and total serum proteins were decreased after feeding 1 or 4 ppm for six weeks. After the withdrawal of the mycotoxin-contaminated feed, OA disappeared from the muscle after 24 hr but persisted in liver and kidney for more than 48 hr. No residues were found in fat or skin.