AFLATOXIN-B1 TOXICOSIS IN DAIRY CALVES PRETREATED WITH SELENIUM VITAMIN-E

Abstract

Effects of a single IM injection of selenium-vitamin E (Se-E; 5 mg of Se + 68 IU of .alpha.-tocopherol/60 kg of body weight) as a pretreatment 14 days before an oral dose of aflatoxin B1 (1.0 mg/kg) were studied in 24 dairy calves. Treatment groups were designated as follows: group 1 = no Se-E or aflatoxin B1 (control); group 2 = Se-E supplementation only; group 3 = aflatoxin B1 dose only; and group 4 = Se-E supplementation before aflatoxin B1 dose. Clinical signs of toxicosis in aflatoxin B1-treated calves included anorexia, ataxia, rough haircoats, increased respiration rates, dyspnea, dehydration, and nasal discharge. Packed-cell volume, RBC, WBC, and hemoglobin were increased in aflatoxin-treated calves. Significant increases in serum aspartate aminotransferase (P < 0.05) and .gamma.-glutamyl-transferase (P < 0.001) activities and prothrombin times (P < 0.001) were observed in aflatoxin-treated calves, indicating that there was hepatic involvement; however, aflatoxin exposure caused a significant decrease in body weight (P < 0.01) and feed intake (P < 0.001) in treatment groups 3 and 4. Se was demonstrated to interact significantly (P < 0.001) with aflatoxin B1 for feed intake, causing an improved feed intake in treatment group 4 calves.