The Quality of Eggs from Japanese Quail, Coturnix japonica, Fed Rations Containing Aflatoxin B₁ and Fumonisin B₁

抄録

In the present study, the individual and combined effects of aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) and fumonisin B₁ (FB₁) on the quality of quail eggs were investigated. To this end, 288 8-week-old Japanese quail were randomly distributed into six experimental groups (48 birds per group) and fed the following diets for 140 days (five 28-day laying periods) : 1) 0 (control) ; 2) 10mg FB₁/kg ; 3) 50μg AFB₁/kg ; 4) 50μg AFB₁/kg+10mg FB₁/kg ; 5) 200μg AFB₁/kg ; and 6) 200μg AFB₁/kg+10mg FB₁/kg feed. Each treatment consisted of four replicates of twelve quail. Eggs laid in the last day of each 28-d laying period were collected and submitted for individual analysis for specific gravity, Haugh units and percentage shell. Results showed that by the end of the 4^th cycle, average egg weight was lower (P<0.05) in groups fed 50 or 200μg AFB₁/kg+10mg FB₁/kg combination diets. Specific gravity decreased (P<0.05) in the group fed 200μg AFB₁/kg+10mg FB₁/kg by the 5^th cycle. Feed intake and Haugh units were not affected (P> 0.05) by AFB₁ and/or FB₁. Only birds receiving the 200μg AFB₁/kg+10mg FB₁/kg diet had decreased (P<0.05) percent eggshell by the 4^th cycle. Data indicated that AFB₁ and FB₁ in combination have primarily additive effects on quail egg weight, specific gravity and percent eggshell at the concentrations used.