Effects of limited feeding of aflatoxin B1 contaminated feed on the performance of broilers

Abstract

The forty-two days long experiment was conducted on a total of 1000 Arbor Acres broilers, divided into two groups. Both groups of broilers were fed with a commercial feed mixture which consisted of standard feedstuffs and contained enough nutrients regarding the requirements. During the first three weeks of the trial, corn naturally contaminated with AFB1 0.0445 ppm per kg dry matter was used in the amount of 20% in the experimental group, while AFB1 free corn was given to birds in the control group. After the period of toxin administration until the end of the trial, broilers from both groups were normally fed another 5 weeks with uncontaminated feed.In the first phase of the trial, broilers in the control groups had an average daily gain (ADG) of 31 g, average daily feed intake (ADFI) of 45 g and a feed: gain ratio (FCR) of 1.42. In the same time, experimental broilers achieved an ADG of 25 g, ADFI of 35 g and a FCR of 1.39. During the whole period of the trial, control and experimental broilers achieved 49.12 g, 95.24 g and 1.94 and 39.71 g, 86.90 g and 2.19, respectively.For the experimental group, the end of the trial was delayed due to lower performances till weighing standard body weight. The trial lasted two weeks longer but overall performances were unsatisfying (ADG 37 g, ADFI 121 g and FCR 3.27).After the period of using contaminated feed, the liver of treated broilers was enlarged, dark yellow colored and tender in consistence. In some cases punctoforme and maculose extravasations could be seen. In all liver samples residues of AFB1 were detected in amounts of 0.63±0.12 ppb.AFB1 had negative effects on performances of broilers even in small amounts. The removal of contaminated feed could alleviate its adverse effects only to a certain extent.

Effects of absorbents on growth performance, blood profiles and liver gene expression in broilers fed diets naturally contaminated with aflatoxin

“…Similarly, previous study reported that BW on d 21 was decreased by low levels of AFB 1 and AFB 2 (16 to 82 μg/kg AFB 1 and 3 to 14 μg/kg AFB 2 ) in broilers fed contaminated diets and the reduction increased with an increasing of naturally contaminated corn [4]. The increased F/G in broilers fed AFB-contaminated diets (44.5 μg/kg) was observed by previous studies [26]. Others also observed negative effects of AFB (1 to 5 mg/kg) on growth performance in broilers [5][6][7]27].…”

Evaluation of three mycotoxin binders to prevent the adverse effects of aflatoxin B1 in growing broilers

“…It has been suggested that clinical, hematological-biochemical, and histopathological changes occur in broilers fed 50-200 µg/kg of dietary AFB 1 (Whitlow andHagler 2005, Resanovic andSinovec 2006). The observed differences in response to chronic aflatoxicosis are probably due to differences in AFB 1 sensitivity of the particular bird population assayed in each experiment.…”

“…Globally, food and feeds have been seriously contaminated with mycotoxins among which aflatoxin, zearalenone, fumonisin, deoxynivalenol, and ochratoxin are the most commonly found (Qu et al 2017). Furthermore, food and feeds are frequently co-contaminated with two or more mycotoxins, and their interactions may exert additive or synergistic effects (Resanovic and Sinovec 2006). The consumption of mycotoxin-contaminated food and feeds leads to reduced nutrient absorption (Verma et al 2004), poor performance, immunosuppression (Richard 2007), residues in animal products (Qu et al 2017), and increased susceptibility to infectious and parasitic diseases (Ma et al 2015), and cause serious reproductive problems leading to economic losses in the poultry industry (Wade et al 2017), resulting in a massive economic impact worldwide on human health, animal health, and agricultural trade.…”

Effects of feeding corn naturally contaminated with aflatoxin on growth performance, apparent ileal digestibility, serum hormones levels and gene expression of Na+, K+-ATPase in ducklings

“…This inconsistency in FCR was also observed in broilers. FCR was decreased in broilers fed naturally contaminated AFB 1 diets (44.5 μg/kg) [ 25 ], whereas FCR was improved by purified AFB 1 (1,500 μg/kg) [ 26 ]. This inconsistence may be due to AFB 1 origins (corn naturally contaminated or inoculated with purified mycotoxins), dosage and species-specificity.…”