Effects of Ochratoxin A on Growth Response and Residues in Broilers

The effects of continuous feeding of graded levels (.5, 1.0, 2.0 ppm) of ochratoxin A (OA) for eight weeks to male and female broiler chickens were investigated. A depression in body weight gain was observed in all groups receiving OA. The depression was proportional to the level of exposure to OA and was more marked and prolonged in males than in females. Detectable residues of OA were observed in the liver and kidney of birds fed 2 ppm OA. Residues disappeared from liver within 24 hr and from kidney within 48 hr after withdrawal of the mycotoxin from feed. No residues of OA were found in muscle or fat.