Ameliorative efficacy of citrus oil in aflatoxin induced changes in lymphoid organs in broilers-A pathomorphological evaluation

Abstract

A total of 160 day-old broiler chicks were divided randomly into four groups with two replicates of 20 birds each. The birds were fed with basal diet, basal diet with CFO, basal diet with aflatoxin, basal diet with CFO and AF. Serum globulin level was significantly reduced in birds fed with AF only on 14 th day of treatment. Microscopically, mild degree of congestion, histiocytosis and cellular sparcity of the periarteriolar lymphoid component were observed in the spleen whereas lymphoid cell depletion in thymus and bursal follicles were prominent. Additionally, thymus revealed moderate degree of congestion and haemorrhages in widened medulla, histiocytosis and degeneration of Hassall's corpuscles. In CFO and AF fed birds, the extent and degree of lesions were lesser with compact arrangement of lymphoid cell with widening of cortex was observed mainly during later days of experiment. There was widening of lymphoid component of caecal tonsils up to mucosal layer in CFO fed birds.

Effect of a Combination of Propionic-Acetic Acid on Body Weight, Relative Weight of Some Organs, Lactic Acid Bacteria and Intestinal pH of Neonatal Broilers

“…Birds during evolution have developed a unique immune system characterized by the activity of lymphoid organs, such as bursa of Fabricius, thymus, and spleen (Verduzco et al, 2010;Senthilkumar et al, 2018). As observed in Table 2, the addition of organic acids did not affect the development of lymphoid organs; these results are consistent with those obtained by Fascina et al (2017), who found no effect with the use of organic acids in the development of immune organs.…”

“…However, Abdel-Fattah et al (2008) reported a mild hyperplasia in the lymphoid organs of broilers supplemented with citric acid with an increase in the immune response. According to Senthilkumar et al (2018), the increase in the relative weight of lymphoid organs is an indicator of a better immune response and disease resistance. However, Martínez et al (2013) did not find a relationship between a higher relative weight of the immune organs and weight gain, which could be related to an increase in energy expenditure for the production of immune cells, which reduces the body weight in pullets (Table 2).…”