HOME JOURNALS CONTACT

International Journal of Poultry Science

Year: 2005 | Volume: 4 | Issue: 2 | Page No.: 71-75
DOI: 10.3923/ijps.2005.71.75
Effect of Chronic V.S. Intermittent Exposure to T-2 Toxin on Reproductive Performance in Bobwhite Quail
J. M. Grizzle, D. B. Kersten, A. E. Houston and A. M. Saxton

Abstract: Studies were conducted to determine the effect of chronic v.s. intermittent exposure to T-2 toxin on reproductive performance in adult bobwhite quail. In Experiment 1, 180 hens were orally dosed with 0% (LD0), 20% (LD20), 40% (LD40) or 60% (LD60) of the acute 100% lethal dose of T-2 toxin as determined in a previous experiment. One quarter of the dosage was administered each week for 3 weeks. Date of puberty was delayed 5 days as a result of the highest dose of T-2 toxin. There were no differences (P>0.05) in hen-day egg production or fertile hatchability of eggs as a result of intermittent exposure to T-2 toxin. Fertility and total hatchability of eggs collected from LD60 hens during week 2 following puberty were less (P 0.05) than from control hens. In Experiment 2, 139 hens were fed 0, 12, 16 and 20 mg T-2 toxin/kg feed for a 4 week period. Puberty was delayed 11 days among hens fed 20 mg/kg feed as compared to hens not fed T-2 toxin. Similarly, feed consumption was less (P < 0.05) among birds consuming any level T-2 toxin as compared to controls. No differences (P>0.05) in total hen-day egg production was found. However, percent fertility and total hatchability of eggs were lower (P<0.005) among hens receiving 20 mg T-2 toxin/kg feed as compared to control hens during the first 7 days following puberty. Results from these studies indicate that reproductive failure in wild bobwhite quail may be a consequence of mycotoxin exposure.

Fulltext PDF

How to cite this article
J. M. Grizzle, D. B. Kersten, A. E. Houston and A. M. Saxton, 2005. Effect of Chronic V.S. Intermittent Exposure to T-2 Toxin on Reproductive Performance in Bobwhite Quail. International Journal of Poultry Science, 4: 71-75.

© Science Alert. All Rights Reserved