Effects of different dietary levels of AFB < sub > 1 < /sub > on survival rate and growth factors of Beluga ( < i > Huso huso < /i > )

In the present study, the impacts of various concentrations of Aflatoxin B < Sub > 1 < /sub > (AFB < Sub > 1 < /sub > ) on Beluga, < i > Huso huso < /i > , under controlled conditions were investigated. Belugas (120~c10g) were fed on diets containing 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100 ppb AFB < Sub > 1 < /sub > /kg of diet for 3 months. Results showed various levels of AFB < Sub > 1 < /sub > do not significantly affect the specific growth ratio (SGR) (P < 0.05) of fish in different treatments. However, weight gain and food conversion ratio (FCR) were varied significantly (P < 0.05 between control and treatments with diets contaminated with 75 and 100ppb AFB < Sub > 1 < /sub > /kg after 90 days). The increase AFB < Sub > 1 < /sub > level of did not affect on the percent of survival rate(SR) and no mortality was observed in treatments (SR=100%) suggesting that various AFB < Sub > 1 < /sub > levels under experimental conditions of the present study affect some growth factors, such as, weight gain and FCR but have no significant impact on SR and SGR. Histopathological studies showed that different level of AFB < Sub > 1 < /sub > can cause broad range of change in liver tissue, including progressive fat deposition, hepatocyte degeneration and necrosis, particularly at concentration of 75 and 100ppb AFB < Sub > 1 < /sub > /kg of diets after 60 days.