Effect of Polyherbal Feed Supplement "Growell" during Induced Aflatoxicosis, Ochratoxicosis and Combined Mycotoxicoses in Broiler

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to study the protective role of polyherbal feed supplement (Growell) during induced mycotoxicosis in broilers. A total of 240 Vencobb broilers were divided at day old stage into eight equal groups. Group A served as control and was given plain feed, group B, D, F and H were given Growell at 0.35 g/kg of feed. Group C, D, G and H were given dietary aflatoxin B 1 at 0.2 ppm and groups E, F, G and H were given ochratoxin A at 0.2 ppm in feed to study effect of Growell on individual aflatoxicosis, ochratoxicosis and combined mycotoxicosis of broilers. The chicks were given their respective feeds from 1st day to 6th week of age and were vaccinated at 7th and 28th day of age with Lasota strain of Newcastle disease virus. There was no statistically significant effect of mycotoxins individually or in combination on body weight of broilers. However, body weights were highest in group B and lowest in co-mycotoxicated group G. Feed conversion ratio was best in group B followed by A, D, F, E, H and G. Significant improvement in haemoglobin values was observed in broilers due to feeding of Growell in ochratoxin and co-mycotoxicated groups. There was no significant effect of mycotoxin treatment on PCV, TEC and TLC of broilers. Due to single and combined mycotoxicosis, there was reduction in serum total protein, albumin, cholesterol and triglyceride and rise in alkaline phosphatase, creatinine and uric acid levels. Supplementation of diets with Growell reduced the alterations induced due to mycotoxins. There was a significant rise in per cent organ weight of liver and reduction of that of spleen, bursa of Fabricius and thymus of broilers fed mycotoxins. Protection from alteration in per cent organ weight of these organ by supplementation of Growell was recorded. The observed impaired immune response and histopathological changes in liver, kidney, spleen, bursa of Fabricius and thymus of broilers given mycotoxins were protected by supplementation of Growell.

Evidence Based Phytopharmacological Potential of Herbal Extracts in Post-Ingestion Management of Mycotoxins in Animal Models

“…This has been suggested to be as a result of impaired liver metabolism [33]. Similarly, serum creatine and uric acid levels were significantly elevated in broilers [33].…”

“…Aflatoxicosis and ochratoxicosis reduces serum total protein and albumin in animal models [33]. In addition, when aflatoxin is used alone, it has a similar effect [41].…”

“…The synergistic effect of combining aflatoxins and ochratoxins in chicks also lower the serum proteins and albumins [36,44]. It has been suggested that the reduction of the serum proteins and albumin could be as a result of the pathological damage induced on the tissues of the animal models by mycotoxins and ochratoxins [33].…”

“…Both aflatoxins and ochratoxins significantly reduce the levels of hemoglobin in laboratory experimental animals [33,[43][44][45][46]. However, this may not have a significant effect on other hematological parameters [33].…”

“…Ingestion of aflatoxins and ochratoxin individually or in combination has been demonstrated to affect the gross body weight and performance in animal study models [28][29][30][31][32][33]. Ingestion of aflatoxin contaminated food alters the percentage organ weight.…”