The chronic effects of Fusarium moniliforme culture material, containing known levels of fumonisin B1, in turkeys.

Fourteen 1-day-old male turkeys were randomly assigned to two adjacent floor pens and fed balanced rations containing 0 and 75 mg fumonisin B1 (FB1)/kg for 18 weeks. Inclusion of FB1 in the ration caused decreased body weight gain on weeks 4, 10, and 12 during the trial. Turkeys fed 75 mg FB1/kg had significantly heavier livers after treatment for 18 weeks. Chronic FB1 exposure resulted in an increased total white blood cell count, absolute heterophil count, absolute lymphocyte count, and heterophil-to-lymphocyte ratio. No mortality was noted in turkeys in either treatment group. Turkeys are relatively resistant to chronic FB1 exposure.