Merck Manual

Please confirm that you are a health care professional

honeypot link
Professional Version

Ochratoxicosis in Poultry

By

Frederic J. Hoerr

, DVM, PhD, Veterinary Diagnostic Pathology, LLC

Reviewed/Revised Sep 2019 | Modified Oct 2022

Ochratoxins are quite toxic to poultry, as nephrotoxins produced chiefly by Penicillium viridicatum and Aspergillus ochraceus in grains and feed. Ochratoxicosis primarily causes renal disease but also affects the liver, immune system, and bone marrow.

Ochratoxicosis causes:

  • decreased weight gain and poor feed conversion

  • reduced spontaneous activity, hypothermia and huddling

  • diarrhea, rapid weight loss, and death

  • decreases in carcass yield, egg production, fertility and hatchability

quiz link

Test your knowledge

Take a Quiz!
iOS ANDROID
iOS ANDROID
iOS ANDROID
TOP