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Aflatoxicosis in cattle: clinical findings and biochemical alterations

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Abstract

Aflatoxicosis is a serious health condition resulted from aflatoxin (AF)-producing fungi. Major health threats resulted from AFs and reflect on the livestock industry with great economic losses. There are limited scientific evidences concerning the AFs in ruminant, therefore it is important to evaluate AFs health hazards in cattle. Here, we investigate biochemical, oxidative stress, and postmortem changes associated with unexpected acute bovine aflatoxicosis. Seventy-two cattle were suffered from aflatoxisocis. Depression and inappetence were predominant clinical findings of the diseased animals. Analysis of feedstuffs revealed presence of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). The AF-intoxicated animals showed a significant increase in alanine amino transferase (ALT), aspartate amino transferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), serum creatinine (SCr), catalase (CAT), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Moreover, a significant decrease in total protein (TP), magnesium (Mg), and reduced glutathione (GSH) were also seen. Hepatomegaly, enlarged gallbladder as well as congestion of the intestine and kidney were observed. This study elucidates the critical and constructive measurements needed for the prevention of the AFs hazardous effects to livestock for the future control of AF outbreaks. Conducting series of diagnostic assays reflect the marked health condition alterations in the biochemical and antioxidant status of the AF-intoxicated cattle.

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Abbreviations

AFB1:

Aflatoxin B1

AFs:

Aflatoxins

A/G:

Albumin/globulin ratio

ALT:

Alanine amino transferase

ALP:

Alkaline phosphatase

AST:

Aspartate amino transferase

Ca:

Calcium

CAT:

Catalase

GSH:

Reduced glutathione

MDA:

Malondialdehyde

Mg:

Magnesium

NO:

Nitric oxide

P:

Phosphorus

SCr:

Serum creatinine

TLC:

Thin layer chromatography

TP:

Total protein

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Correspondence to Emad A. Hashish.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Animals studies

All the institutional and national guidelines needed for the animal care and use were followed. All approaches and procedures involving animals followed the guideline for the use and care of animals of the National Institutes of Health (NIH publication No.85–23, revised 1996). These guidelines of the protection of the animals which used for scientific research followed the ethical guidelines provided by the institutional committee of Aswan University, Egypt.

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Responsible editor: Lotfi Aleya

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Elgioushy, M.M., Elgaml, S.A., El-Adl, M.M. et al. Aflatoxicosis in cattle: clinical findings and biochemical alterations. Environ Sci Pollut Res 27, 35526–35534 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-09489-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-09489-3

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