Effects of Dietary Modifications on Response of the Duckling to Aflatoxin

Abstract
The purpose of this investigation was to determine the short-term effects of dietary modifications on the response of ducklings to aflatoxin, a mold contaminant found in certain natural food products. In the presence of aflatoxin, dietary supplements of 4.0% of methionine, 1.0% of arginine or 0.8% of lysine, as individual additions, depressed weight gain but decreased mortality. The addition to the diet of 1.0% arginine and 0.8% lysine with, but not without, aflatoxin sharply decreased weight gain and increased mortality. The addition of glutathione or cysteine to the diet as sources of sulfhydryl groups had no effect on toxicity. Autoclaving aflatoxin-contaminated peanut meal decreased toxicity and markedly increased weight gains of ducklings over a 9-day period.