Humoral immunosuppressant activity of aflatoxin ingestion in rabbits measured by response to Mycobacterium bovis antigens using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and serum protein electrophoresis.

A total of 30 New Zealand white rabbits were divided into five equal groups. Animals in groups 1 and 3 were sensitized with bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG), and those in groups 2 and 4 with inactivated cells of Mycobacterium bovis (Sensitinogen). Group 1 and 2 rabbits were fed 2 ppm day-1 aflatoxin for 3 months. Group 5 served as control. Serum samples from animals in all groups were subjected to enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) to determine antibody titre and to protein electrophoresis to determine immunoglobulin levels. The antibody titres and the immunoglobulin levels were significantly decreased in the aflatoxin-treated groups.