Experimental pathology of T-2 toxicosis and mycoplasma infection on performance and hepatic functions of broiler chickens

Abstract

This experiment was conducted using 192 day-old Ross 308 chicks, divided into 4 groups of 4 replicate consisting 48 birds. Group I was fed a control diet, Group II was fed control diet supplemented with 0.5 ppm T-2 toxin for 5 weeks, Group III was fed control diet supplemented with 8 × 10(8) cfu/mL of Mycoplasma gallisepticum, and group IV was fed control diet supplemented by T-2 toxin and Mycoplasma gallisepticum. Body weight and feed conversation ratio (FCR), relative organ weights, clinical signs, biochemical characteristics, and gross and histopathological lesions were recorded in the experimental groups at the end of the second and fifth weeks of age. Body weight and relative weights of bursa of Fabricius, thymus, and spleen decreased and FCR increased significantly (P ≤ 0.05), but the relative weights of liver and kidney showed no significant decrease (P ≤ 0.05) in the serum total proteins, albumin, and increase in aspartate aminotransferase and alanine transaminase were observed in T-2 toxin and T-2 accompanied with Mycoplasma fed birds when compared to the control group. Liver was enlarged, friable, and yellowish discoloration with distended gall bladder was noticed. Lymphoid organs such as bursa of Fabricius, thymus, and spleen were atrophied in group II and group IV throughout the study. Microscopically, liver showed vacuolar degeneration of hepatocytes, with increased Kupffer cell activity, bile duct epithelial hyperplasia, and infiltration of inflammatory cells. Kidney showed vacuolar degeneration of tubular epithelium along with pyknotic nuclei. Lymphoid organs showed lymphocytolysis and depletion with prominent reticuloepithelial cells. Proventriculus revealed desquamation of villous epithelial cells and lymphoid infiltration in submucosa. Heart showed mild hemorrhage with infiltration of inflammatory cells. Lung showed edema and inflammatory cells in the bronchioles. Trachea showed desquamation and erosions of mucosa. Proliferation of mucosal glands with increased mucous secretion was obvious. Air sacs showed thickening with presence of inflammatory cells and edema.

Toxicity of aflatoxin B1 on laying Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

“…The most relevant symptom and sign of aflatoxicosis in poultry and livestock is poor performance. In laying poultry, the reduction in EP leads to severe economic losses and also severe AF-dependent diseases within the flocks (Manafi et al 2015). In the current study, quails consuming 1.5 mg/kg of AFcontaining diet had significantly poor EP, FCR, and feed intake.…”

Mycoplasma gallisepticum Infection Impaired the Structural Integrity and Immune Function of Bursa of Fabricius in Chicken: Implication of Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis

“…The research on MG-infection has been carried out for several years, but the understanding of immune impairment remains elusive because of the complex inflammatory responses during MG infection. Several researchers investigated the effect of MG infection on lymphoid organs such as thymus, spleen and BOF (32,33). In the present study, the effects of MG-infection on structural integrity and immune function of chicken BOF were scrutinized.…”

Poultry Litter Selection, Management and Utilization in the Tropics

“…Therefore, litter should be treated to destroy these organisms before land application or before use as feed supplements. Mycotoxins especially aflotoxin B 1 responsible for under-performance in especially broilers have been detected in excess levels in poultry litter [37][38][39][40]. Mycotoxins have been known to increase susceptibility of broilers to infectious bursal disease and are reported to also act synergistically with stressor to increase severity of poultry diseases [37].…”