Milk composition disturbance and animal organism dysfunction caused by aflatoxins: A review

Aflatoxins constitute toxic metabolites of the fungi Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus and are considered to be the mycotoxins, first detected and researched by the scientists. Aflatoxin consumption by animals or humans could lead to their organism function disorders, mainly depending on the duration of consumption and the quantity of the toxin. Such disorders, caused by aflatoxins and/or by other mycotoxins as well, could seriously affect animal production, the quality of the foods of animal origin and also the farmers' income. After aflatoxin B1 is consumed by lactating animals, it is metabolised to aflatoxin M1, which is excreted into the milk. As a consequence of aflatoxin influence on the general condition of animals, together with the excretion into the milk, the effects on milk quality, including changes in some milk components concentrations could be considered as possible. Unfortunately, the presentliterature regarding this suggestion is inadequate. The reports regarding aflatoxin effects on the general condition of animals are mainly related with basic parameters, whose changes could influence animal production. Such parameters are the body weight and the biochemical parameters of liver and kidneys. Reduction of body weight, decreased food consumption, increased concentrations of aspartate aminotransferase and probably of alanine aminotransferase, and extensive liver damage are reported by most authors. As for the milk fat content some researchers did not reveal any aflatoxin effects on fat values, while others report a significant reduction of milk fatty acids. These results were attributed to the inhibition or the decreased production of some enzymes, appropriate for fatty acids synthesis, such as synthetase. Regarding the milk protein content, no aflatoxin effects on it are reported. Most researchers make reason for a slight increase of total protein blood levels after aflatoxin consumption, as well as, for RNA polymerase suspended action, resulting in the inhibition of a lot of metabolic reactions, such as protein synthesis. Moreover, no significant changes were recorded concerning either the milk lactose content or the glucose blood concentration, after aflatoxin consumption. The likelihood of the possible aflatoxin effects on udder health, resulting in mastitis, or on somatic cell count and total microbial count changes cannot be supported by the up-today existing data. Additionally, these parameters could be affected by a variety of factors, requiring, for this reason, extensive research. © 2013 Nova Science Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved

Effect of prolonged aflatoxin B-1 administration on blood serum oestradiol-17 beta and progesterone concentrations of goats during the anoestrus period

The effect of prolonged aflatoxin B-1 (AFB(1)) administration on blood serum oestradiol-17 beta and progesterone concentrations in goats during the anoestrus period was investigated. Thirty Greek indigenous goats were used; 10 goats received, per os, 50 mu g (treated group T50) and 10 goats received 100 mu g (treated group T100) AFB(1)/day/head, respectively, for 31 days, while 10 goats served as controls (C). Blood samples were collected from each goat twice a week to determine serum oestradiol-17 beta and progesterone concentrations by radioimmunoassay. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed a significant (P < 0.05) positive dependence of blood serum oestradiol-17 beta concentration over group (C = 0, T50 = 50, T100 = 100), in a dose-dependent manner, and a significant (P < 0.05) negative dependence over time (0-31 days, from the onset to the end of AFB(1) administration). Linear regression analysis revealed a significant (P < 0.05) positive dependence of blood serum progesterone concentration over group (C = 0, T50 = 50, T100 = 100), in a dose-dependent manner. Pearson's correlation coefficient revealed a significant (P < 0.05) positive correlation between blood serum oestradiol-17 beta and progesterone concentration, but only in the goats of the control group. In conclusion, the prolonged administration of 100 or even of 50 mu g AFB(1)/day/head during the anoestrus period, increased blood serum oestradiol-17 beta and progesterone concentrations of goats, in a dose-dependent manner, and in the treated groups disturbed the positive correlation between oestradiol-17 beta and progesterone concentration shown in the goats of the control group

Effects of aflatoxin B1 administration on Greek indigenous goats' milk

Aflatoxins are toxic metabolites of the fungi Aspergillus spp. After aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is consumed by lactating animals, it is metabolized to aflatoxin M1 (AFM1), which is excreted into the milk. The present study investigates the AFM1 excretion into the milk and the milk composition of Greek goats after AFB1 administration. Thirty Greek goats were divided into 3 groups of 10 animals each; one group of controls and two groups of treated animals. Each goat of the treated groups received per os 50 or 100 mu g of AFB1 per day, respectively, for 35 days. Individual milk samples were analyzed for AFM1 concentration and milk components. The results indicate the excretion of AFM1 into the milk at concentrations higher than the maximum European Union's limit and a significant decrease of milk fat content due to the higher AFM1 concentration into the milk samples and to the higher AFB1 administration in goats. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved