List the different endogenous toxicants present in the feed. Explain any TWO in detail.

Endogenous toxicants are naturally occurring substances found in feed ingredients that can have harmful effects on poultry health and performance. Some common endogenous toxicants present in feed include:

1. Antinutritional Factors: Antinutritional factors are naturally occurring compounds in feed ingredients that interfere with nutrient digestion, absorption, or metabolism, leading to reduced feed efficiency and potential health problems in poultry. Examples of antinutritional factors include:

   a. Non-starch Polysaccharides (NSPs): NSPs are complex carbohydrates found in cereals, grains, and oilseeds such as wheat, barley, and soybeans. These compounds can bind to nutrients, enzymes, and receptors in the digestive tract, impairing nutrient absorption and causing digestive disorders such as diarrhea, malabsorption, and reduced performance in poultry. NSPs can also promote the growth of harmful bacteria in the gut, leading to intestinal inflammation and compromised gut health.

   b. Phytic Acid (Phytate): Phytic acid is a phosphorus storage compound found in plant-based feed ingredients such as grains, oilseeds, and legumes. Phytate binds to minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, zinc, and iron, forming insoluble complexes that are poorly absorbed by poultry. This can result in mineral deficiencies, reduced bone strength, and impaired growth performance in poultry. Phytic acid can also interfere with the activity of digestive enzymes, further reducing nutrient utilization and feed efficiency.

2. Mycotoxins: Mycotoxins are toxic secondary metabolites produced by certain fungi (molds) that grow on feed ingredients under favorable conditions of moisture, temperature, and humidity. These toxins are widespread contaminants in grains, cereals, oilseeds, and feedstuffs, posing serious health risks to poultry when consumed in contaminated feed. Examples of mycotoxins include:

   a. Aflatoxins: Aflatoxins are carcinogenic mycotoxins produced primarily by Aspergillus fungi and commonly found in maize, peanuts, cottonseed, and other commodities. Aflatoxins can cause liver damage, immune suppression, reduced growth, and increased mortality in poultry. Chronic exposure to aflatoxins can lead to aflatoxicosis, a serious health condition associated with liver cancer and reproductive problems in poultry.

   b. Deoxynivalenol (DON): DON, also known as vomitoxin, is a trichothecene mycotoxin produced by Fusarium fungi commonly found in wheat, barley, and corn. DON can cause feed refusal, vomiting, diarrhea, immune suppression, and reduced growth performance in poultry. Chronic exposure to DON can lead to chronic digestive disorders, impaired nutrient absorption, and increased susceptibility to infectious diseases in poultry.

These endogenous toxicants pose significant challenges to poultry producers and require diligent management practices, including proper feed sourcing, storage, and processing, as well as mycotoxin mitigation strategies such as feed testing, toxin binders, and mold inhibitors, to minimize their impact on poultry health and performance.