Comparative biological and biochemical studies in hybrid chicks

Abstract

Two strains of hybrid chicks (hybrids A and B) were tested for susceptibility to aflatoxin poisoning by single dose administration and by feeding trials. Hybrid A was found to be much more susceptible to aflatoxin than hybrid B. The effect of aflatoxin poisoning on the serum proteins of day‐old chicks of hybrids A and B and of Rhode Red x Light Sussex chicks was examined in survivors 7 days after administering one LD50 of aflatoxin B1. No consistent alterations in electrophoretic protein patterns or serum glycoprotein contents were observed but in the most susceptible group (hybrid A) there was a 12.5 per cent reduction in total protein content.