Variations of clinical biochemical parameters of laying hens and broiler chickens fed aflatoxin‐containing feed

Abstract

SUMMARYTwo groups of 32 laying hens (Hyssex Brown) and two groups of 32 23-day-old (Hybro) broiler chickens were fed 2.5 and 5 parts/10 6 of aflatoxin in their diet for 4, 8, 16 and 32 days; 16 hens and 32 chicks were maintained as control groups (0 parts/10 6 ). After the intoxication period, a clearance period was established of 1, 2, 4 and 8 days. Relative weights of liver and kidneys significantly increased in intoxicated hens, but not in broiler chickens. Histological lesions in both types of bird consisted of hepatic cell vacuolation with fatty infiltration. There was a significant decrease (P< 0.001) in egg production in the 5 parts/10 6 group, which started to recover during the clearance period. No morbidity or mortality due to the aflatoxicosis were observed in either type of bird. In intoxicated laying hens, cholesterol levels were not significantly (P> 0.05) different from control values, but triglyceride levels decreased (P< 0.001) in both intoxicated groups. The effect of aflatoxin on calcium and phosphorus levels was important, because on the 4th day their values decreased significantly. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) serum levels remained normal, whereas alanino aminotransferase (ALT) activity decreased in both intoxicated groups. The activity of serum lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) and gammaglutamil transferase (GGT) increased significantly. In intoxicated broiler chickens, aflatoxins did not alter (P> 0.05) the biochemical parameters studied, except that the serum calcium concentration was lower in the 5 parts/10 6 group. These data indicated that in intoxicated laving hens, a severe clinical biochemical alteration was produced, and that this together with the hepatic lesions observed in hens and broilers may aid disease diagnosis.

Evaluation of Physiological Parameters of Broilers with Dorsal Cranial Myopathy

“…In addition, the obtained AST and CK values of both evaluated groups were higher than those reported by Dickel (1992), 222 U/L for broilers with ascites, and those of Fernandez et al (1994), of 198-225 U/L in layer hens fed a diet contaminated with aflatoxin.…”

Níveis séricos de enzimas de função hepática em frangos de corte de criação industrial clinicamente saudáveis

“…1). Os níveis séricos da AST, determinados neste trabalho, foram inferiores aos encontrados por Giroir et al (1991) e semelhantes aos encontrados por Saukas et al (1994), Fernandez et al (1994 e Krasnodebska-Depta e Koncicki (1999), que também não observaram efeito da idade sobre a variação dos níveis dessa enzima.…”

“…Os valores de LDH foram inferiores aos apresentados por Saukas et al (1994) e similares aos encontrados por Fernandez et al (1994) e Krasnodebska-Depta e Koncicki (1999) aos sete, 14 e 21 dias de idade das aves. Há grande concentração nas hemácias dessa enzima, por essa razão, resultados diferentes entre autores podem estar relacionados à presença de hemólise, mesmo em pequenas quantidades no soro das aves (Kramer, 1989 (1994) e por Fernandez et al (1994), em aves clinicamente saudáveis.…”

“…Há grande concentração nas hemácias dessa enzima, por essa razão, resultados diferentes entre autores podem estar relacionados à presença de hemólise, mesmo em pequenas quantidades no soro das aves (Kramer, 1989 (1994) e por Fernandez et al (1994), em aves clinicamente saudáveis.…”

Aflatoxicosis in Layer and Breeder Hens

“…Rao &Joshi (1993) included 1.25, 2.50, 5 and 10ppm aflatoxin B 1 in layer rations for four weeks and found decreased egg production in birds receiving 5 and 10ppm of aflatoxin B 1 . Fernandez et al (1994) reported a significant reduction in egg production and oral lesions in layer chicken treated with 120ppb onwards for varying periods. Azzam & Gabal, (1998) reported a significant reduction in egg production of commercial layers fed with high levels of aflatoxin for six weeks.…”