Influence of dietary aflatoxin, zinc, and copper on bone size, organ weight, and body weight in hamsters and rats

Journal Article · Thu Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1985 · Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01636493· OSTI ID:6425460

Llewellyn, G C; Floyd, E A; Hoke, G D; Weekley, L B; Kimbrough, T D

Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus have been shown to produce aflatoxins in stored foodstuffs such as peanuts, cottonseed meal, rice, and grains. Aflatoxin-treated animals, especially those that have not matured, fail to gain body weight as rapidly as controls and protein synthesis is reduced. Zinc is a necessary trace element in the diet. Slight deficiencies produce growth retardation, an inhibition of the animal's general well-being, and a reduction in feed efficiency. Many changes observed in bone of zinc deficient animals were similar to those observed with decreased feed intake. High levels of zinc are relatively non-toxic. Copper is required in the diet for prevention of anemia. It has been suggested to have a protective effect against several carcinogens, and is an essential component of many oxidative enzyme systems. In an effort to determine the potential effects of the interaction of metals and aflatoxins, these studies were initiated. Reported herein are body weights, organ weights, bone sizes and radiographic evaluations.

• Research Organization: Virginia Commonwealth Univ., Richmond
• OSTI ID: 6425460
• Journal Information: Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol.; (United States), Journal Name: Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol.; (United States) Vol. 35:2; ISSN BECTA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AFLATOXIN
ANIMAL GROWTH
ANIMALS
ANTIGENS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOMEDICAL RADIOGRAPHY
BODY
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBONATES
CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
COPPER COMPOUNDS
DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
GLANDS
GONADS
GROWTH
HAMSTERS
HEART
IONIZING RADIATIONS
KIDNEYS
LIVER
MALE GENITALS
MAMMALS
MATERIALS
MEDICINE
NUCLEAR MEDICINE
ORGANS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
RADIATIONS
RADIOLOGY
RATS
RODENTS
SKELETON
SPLEEN
SYNERGISM
TESTES
TOXIC MATERIALS
TOXINS
TRANSITION ELEMENT COMPOUNDS
VERTEBRATES
WEIGHT
X RADIATION
ZINC CARBONATES
ZINC COMPOUNDS