Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) residues in milk are regulated in many parts of the world and can cost dairy farmers significantly due to lost milk sales. Additionally, due to the carcinogenicity of this compound contaminated milk can be a major public health concern. Thirty-four lactating dairy cows were utilised to investigate the relationship between somatic cell counts (SCC), milk yield and conversion of dietary aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) into milk AFM1 (carryover (CO)). The AFM1 in milk increased as soon as the first milking after animal ingestion with a pattern of increment up to the observed plateau (between 7th and 12th days of AFB1 ingestion). There was a significant (P < 0.01) effect of the milk yield whereas no effect could be attributed to the SCC levels or to the milk yield × SCC interaction. Similarly, the main effect of milk yield was also observed (P < 0.01) on the total amount of AFM1 excreted during the ingestion period. Although the plasma concentration of gamma-glutamyl transferase was significantly affected by aflatoxin administration, levels of this liver enzyme were within the normal range for lactating dairy cows. The current data suggest that milk yield is the major factor affecting the total excretion of AFM1 and that SCC as an indicator of mammary gland permeability was not related to an increase in AFM1 CO.

The effect of extrusion of pea seeds (Pisum sativum) (PS), faba bean (Vicia faba, variety minor) (FB) and lupin seeds (Lupinus albus, variety multitalia) (LS) on broiler performance were evaluated. Four hundred sixty two 1d-old Ross male chicks, Marek vaccinated, were randomly assigned to seven dietary treatments (3 pens per treatment/22 birds per pen). Chicks were floor housed, ad libitum fed isocaloric and isonitrogenous diets and had free access to water. Artificial light was provided 10 h/d. The bulk of the base diet (control diet) was corn (48.8%, 53.7% and 57%), solvent-extracted soy- bean meal (42.8%, 37.3% and 33.4%), corn oil (4.4%, 5.2% and 6.3%), plus synthetic amino acids, minerals, trace minerals and vitamins, respectively for the 1-10d-old, 11-28d-old and 29 to 42d-old growing periods. The amounts of PS, FB and LS used on an as fed basis were: PS and extruded PS (EPS): 353 (1-10d-old), 356 (11-28d-old) and 350 (29- 42d-old) g/kg; FB and extruded FB (EFB): 479 (1-10d-old), 497 (11-28d-old) and 500 (29-42d old) g/kg; LS and extrud- ed LS (ELS): 360 (1-10d-old) and 300 (11-42d-old) g/kg. High levels of pea (350 g/kg) and faba bean (500 g/kg) did not show negative effects on body weight gain (BWG) and bird feed intake compared to control. Lupin at the 300 g/kg level reduced (P< 0.05) the BWG during the finishing period (22 to 42 d), however the effect disappeared over the whole experimental period (1-42 d) compared to the control group. The ELS group had a lower (P< 0.01) feed intake com- pared to the control group and to the LS group. The feed conversion rate (FCR) was similar among groups for the whole experimental period; however during the grower period the FCR was higher (P< 0.05) for the PS, FB and EFB groups com- pared to the control group. Birds consuming the PS diet had a reduced (P< 0.05) eviscerated carcass yield compared to the control group. The breast meat percent yield was higher (P< 0.01) for birds consuming the FB and EFB diets compared to the control group. There were no statistical differences in percent yield of the leg quarters and in blood parameters