Performance and serum biochemical profile of Japanese quail supplemented with silymarin and contaminated with aflatoxin B1

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the hepatoprotective effect of silymarin in diets contaminated or not with aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) on the productive performance and serum biochemical profile of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) in the laying phase. A total of 240 12-week-old Japanese quail was used in a completely randomized design in a 3 × 2 factorial scheme (additives x contaminated or not with AFB1 - 1,500 μg/kg), totaling 6 treatments and 5 replicates of 8 birds each. The additives used were silymarin (500 g/ton), adsorbent (1 kg/ton), and a control diet (without additive). Of the total aflatoxin content, 84.64% was AFB1; 4.28% was AFB2; 11.07% was AFG1; and AFG2 was not detected. The data were submitted to ANOVA, and means were compared by Tukey's test. There was no interaction (P > 0.05) between the additive and AFB1 on performance parameters. However, the inclusion of AF in diets reduced (P < 0.05) egg weight and feed intake, impairing feed conversion compared to the unchallenged groups. There was an increase (P < 0.05) in blood concentrations of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), and creatine kinase (CK) in birds challenged with AFB1, regardless of the additive used, characterizing a possible alteration in hepatic metabolism. Serum total protein and globulin levels were reduced (P < 0.05) in birds challenged with toxins. The consumption of diets contaminated with 1,500 μg AFB1/kg altered hepatic function in quail, impairing productive performance and egg weight. The concentrations of silymarin and adsorbent evaluated in this study were not able to mitigate the negative effect of toxins on the metabolism and performance of laying quail.

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

“…The unfavourable effects of AF on performance found in the current trial are in agreement with the previous reports of Miazzo et al (2000). Impaired feed consumption in birds fed toxin has been reported by Raju and Devegowda (2000), Manafi and Khosravinia (2013) and Sakamoto et al (2018) In the study of Oliveira et al (2002), decrease in feed intake and FCR of laying quail fed 50 and 100 μg of AFB1/kg was observed. In contrast, Weibking et al (1994) did not report Notes: AF (Aflatoxin B1 @ 1.5 ppm); NMB: Niltox Mycotoxin Binder (@ 0.3%); AF + NMB: combination of Aflatoxin B1 with Niltox Mycotoxin Binder (1.5 ppm and 0.3%, respectively).…”

Efficacy of silymarin-nanohydrogle complex in attenuation of aflatoxins toxicity in Japanese quails

“…In a study, feeding quail chicks with aflatoxins-contaminated diets (0.25, 0.5, 1 and 2 mg/kg feed) significantly reduced FI, DWG and increased FCR (Mahmood et al 2017). Sakamoto et al (2018) reported reduced FI (1.59 g or 5.75%) and impaired FCR (0.05unit or 1.63%) in quails fed with aflatoxin-contaminated diets (1500 mg/kg) compared with the unchallenged birds. Results of the current study is in the line with almost all previous reports that confirmed decreased DWG and EPI and increased FCR in quails fed aflatoxin-contaminated diets.…”

“…While liver plays a central role in aflatoxin detoxification, altered serum levels are anticipated for many biochemical components as observed in the current study. Finally, aflatoxins such as almost all other toxicants induce anorexia (Şehu et al 2005;Yunus et al 2011) through influencing central appetite modulating mechanisms (Sakamoto et al 2018), resulting in a lesser DWG.…”

“…This analyser employs enzymatic procedures using SEPPIM Diagnostic Kits (SEPPIM S.A.S., Sees, France) in two replicates, at 25 C, adopted by Khosravinia (2015). Sera globulin (GLOB) concentration was calculated by subtracting albumin from total protein (GLOB ¼ TP À ALB) (Sakamoto et al 2018). At the end of the trial, four male quails from each experimental treatment were selected, weighted and killed by cervical dislocation and necropsied.…”

“…Effects of mycotoxins on animals comprise a wide range of pathological manifestations including hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, immune suppression, oncogenesis and genotoxicity (Misihairabgwi et al 2019). Aflatoxins are fat soluble molecules rapidly absorbed throughout the gastrointestinal tract (Sakamoto et al 2018) and mainly metabolised by the act of P 450 cytochrome enzymes in liver, where they convert into destructive and electrophilic metabolites (Wu and Khlangwiset 2010). Therefore, protection of liver against exogenous toxic and harmful substances has received a top priority in poultry production, resulting in massive recommendations on attenuation of mycotoxins' effects on broiler birds and productivity.…”