Sakhats'kyj I. Effect of Fusarium mycotoxins on immune indices of chickens, their reproductive ability and quality of progeny

The object of investigation: mycotoxicoses of poultry and results of feeding poultry the feed contaminated with mycotoxins. The aim of investigation was to evaluate the influence of Fusarium mycotoxins added to feed (T-2 toxin in concentration of 10 parts per million (ppm), zearalenone in concentration of 1,6 ppm, aurofusarin in concentration of 26,4 ppm) on immune indices of laying hens, their reproductive ability and quality of progeny. Methods of investigation: hematological, serological, biochemical. Equipment: incubator, microscope, thermostate, photoelectrocolorimeter, centrifuge. The negative effect of aurofusarin and zearalenone on immune indices and prolonged post-effect on immune and reproductive systems of hens, the high embryotoxic effect of T-2 toxin, zearalenone, aurofusarin were determined at first. The results of feeding layers the feed contaminated with Fusarium mycotoxins are leucopoenia, Newcastle disease antibodies titers decreasing of 1,0-2,5 log2, decreasing both of bactericide a ctivity of blood serum of 5-38% and IgG concentration of 4-9%. There could be observed drop of 8-36% day old chicks and resistance decreasing in progeny due to feeding hens the feed contaminated with Fusarium mycotoxins. Up to age of four weeks such chicks show high mortality (4-43%) and have low immune response (0,2-2,2 log2 lower than in the control group) to vaccination against Newcastle disease. To decrease from 50 ppm to 0,08 ppm the maximum permissible amount (MPA) of zearalenone in the feeds for poultry was suggested at first. The results of investigation were included in to scientific recommendations "Maximum permissible amount (MPA) of zearalenone in the feeds for poultry" which were proved by State Department of Veterinary Medicine of Ukraine. Branch application - Veterinary Medicine.