Lupine alkaloids in white and brown pullets: determination of mean lethal dose (DL50)

Abstract

DL₅₀ of total alkaloids, as well as of two individual alkaloids (spartein and lupanin) found in bitter lupine seeds were determined for ISAbrown and Shavercross pullets.

Three hundred chickens were used for each genetic line: 100 to calculate the dosification of the alkaloids administered, 100 for the spartein dossification and 100 for the lupanin dosification. In order to determine the DL₅₀, the maximal and minimal lethal dose had to be determined first. The three types of products were administered with a catheter directly to the crop. After alkaloids were administrated, birds were kept under observation for several hours.

The results showed that DL₅₀ for spartein was 655 (509-856) mg/kg for the ISAbrown line and 425 (303-544) mg/kg for the SHAVERcross line. DL₅₀ for lupanin was 1.131 (929-1378) mg/kg (ISAbrown line) and 1.271 (1027-1573) mg/kg (SHAVERcross line). DL₅₀ for total alkaloids in lupine seeds was 958 (854-1070) mg/kg (ISAbrown line) and 961 (890-1037) mg/kg (SHAVERcross line).

As a conclusion lupanin was the alkaloid that presented the highest DL₅₀ values followed by the total alkaloids and finally spartein.