Hepatomas in Rats and Hepatorenal Injury in Ducklings Fed Peanut Meal or Aspergillus flavus Extract

Abstract

When rats were fed peanut meal (made from peanuts grown and processed in the United States) for 10–12 months, a high incidence of hepatomas and renal damage was observed. Direct extension of hepatomas to the mesentery and metastasis to the lungs occurred in several animals. Parathyroid adenomas were also seen.

Ducklings fed the toxic peanut meal for 4 weeks in short term experiments developed hepatic cell damage and bile duct hyperplasia. Lesions induced in ducklings by intubation with extracts of cultures of Aspergillus flavus for 5 days were comparable to those induced with toxic peanut meal.