Effect of Aflatoxin on Liver Phosphoenol Pyruvate Carboxy Kinase Activity in Growing Karan Swiss Male Calves

Influence of dietary aflatoxin level on gluconeogenesis was investigated in 20 growing Karan Swiss male calves (3 to 4 months of age) which were divided into 4 equal groups and fed on diets supplying aflatoxin at levels of 0, 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 ppra respectively for 16 weeks. 3 calves from each group were sacrificed and liver phosphoenol pyruvate carboxy-kinase activity was determined. The enzyme activity was significantly (P<0.01) lower in calves fed 1.0 and 1.5 ppm aflatoxin than the remaining groups, suggesting adverse effect of aflatoxin on gluconeogenesis. Further, ¹⁴C-leucine incorporation into liver protein was significantly decreased at 1.0 and 1.5 ppm aflatoxin level. The effect of aflatoxin was also seen in liver weight, liver protein, RNA and DNA contents.