Effects of adding .5% of a
hydrated sodium calcium aluminosilicate (
HSCAS) to diets containing 1 or .5 mg
aflatoxin (AF)/kg were determined in male turkey poults from 1 day to 3 wk of age.
Body weight gains were significantly reduced by 51 and 19% in turkey poults fed 1 and .5 mg AF/kg, respectively; efficiency of feed utilization was not affected. There were no deaths in poults fed .5 mg AF/kg; however, the mortality rate was 88% in poults fed 1 mg AF/kg. The addition of .5% dietary
HSCAS resulted in a 68% decrease in mortality to 28% for the 3-wk experimental period. Treatment-related changes in relative organ weights, hematological values, serum biochemical values, and
enzyme activities were observed. The
HSCAS in the absence of AF did not alter any of the parameters measured. The
HSCAS diminished the adverse effects of AF on
body weight gains, most relative organ weights, hematological values, serum biochemical values, and
enzyme activities associated with .5 mg AF/kg, but not 1 mg AF/kg. These findings indicate that
HSCAS may diminish many of the adverse effects of AF in an AF-sensitive species, the turkey.