Effects of ochratoxin A on egg production, body weight, and feed intake in white leghorn hens.

Two trials were conducted to determine whether ochratoxin A (OA) or reduced feed consumption was responsible for reduced body weight and egg production in hens. In an 8 week restricted feed intake trial two groups of White Leghorn hens received amounts of non-contaminated feed similar to that consumed in a previous trial by hens fed either noncontaminated diet or one containing 4 ppm OA. A significant (P less than .05) loss of body weight was observed during the 5th and 6th weeks in the group receiving a similar amount of feed as the OA-treated group in the previous trial, indicating that reduced feed consumption might account for the loss in body weight. Since egg production was not affected, it was possible that OA may depress egg production through a mechanism that is separate from its influence on feed intake. In an organoleptic trial White Leghorn hens were offered a choice of layer feed either with or without OA added for a three week period. There was a significant (P less than .05) reduction in the consumption of OA-contaminated feed.