Experimental Pathological Studies on Ochratoxicosis in Broiler Chickens

Abstract

Forty broiler chicks (Hubbard breed), two weeks old were used to study the pathological lesions and residues of ochratoxin A in some chicken organs. Experimental chicks were divided into two groups. First group (30 chicks) were fed on ration contaminated with 100ppb /kg ration, while second group (10 chicks) were kept as control and fed on ration free from OTA till the end of the experiment. Fifteen chicks from group 1and five chicks from group 2 were sacrificed 28 and 36 days post feeding (PF). The clinical signs, mortalities and lesions in addition to OTA residues were detected and recorded. The chicks in group 1 showed 20% mortalities beside diarrhea, dehydration and emaciation. The kidney lobules appeared pale with urates deposits due to intense nephrotic changes, nephritis, fibrosis and gout. The liver showed hepatic hemorrhages apoptosis, necrosis and hyperplastic bile ductules. Intense lesions in brain in the form of edema, meningeal lymphocytic cells aggregations, degenerated neurons and purkinje cells were recorded. GIT lesions (proventriculus and intestine) due to direct contact with OTA contaminated ration were also seen. OTA residue was higher in liver than kidneys while the lowest value was detected in skeletal muscle. It could be concluded that OTA induced neurotoxicity beside hepato-renal toxicity and GIT lesions due to its toxic effect and its adverse effect on growth performance.