The Metabolism of 14 C Aflatoxins in Laying Hens

Sodium acetate-1-14 C labeled aflatoxins were produced by growing Aspergillus flavus strain NRRL-2999 on rice. A single 0.29 μ Ci. oral dose of aflatoxins was administered to laying White Leghorn hens. The radioactivity distribution and its equivalents in various tissues, at one, four and seven days after the administration of the dose were determined. Seven days after treatment, 70.61% of the dose was recovered in the excrement. The excretion of aflatoxins or their metabolites into the intestine via the bile seemed to be the major pathway by which absorbed aflatoxins were excreted. All the components of eggs laid at various intervals showed 14 C activity. Edible parts of the carcass showed varied amounts of 14 C aflatoxins and/or their metabolites at all the periods studied. The time necessary to eliminate one-half of the radioactive aflatoxins from the body was found to be 66.82 hours. The liver, crop, gizzard and fecal material when fed in the diets were toxic to the duckling.