TY  - JOUR
T1  - Effect of Prolonged Low Level Inclusion of Aflatoxin B<SUB>1</SUB> into Diet on Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, Histopathology and Blood Enzymes of Broiler Chickens
AU - , H. Kermanshahi AU - , M. R. Akbari AU - , M. Maleki AU - , M. Behgar 
JO  - Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances
VL  - 6
IS  - 5
SP  - 686
EP  - 692
PY  - 2007
DA  - 2001/08/19
SN  - 1680-5593
DO  - javaa.2007.686.692
UR  - https://makhillpublications.co/view-article.php?doi=javaa.2007.686.692
KW  - Aflatoxin B1
KW  -performance
KW  -nutrients digestibility
KW  -blood enzymes
KW  -broilers
AB  - A feeding trail was conducted to evaluate the effects of diets contaminated with Aflatoxin B<SUB>1</SUB> (AFB<SUB>1</SUB>) on the performance, digestibility of nutrients and blood enzymes of broiler chickens. In a randomized complete-block design with 4 blocks and 4 treatments, 112 day-old male broiler chickens were divided into 16 groups of 7 chicks each. Treatments consisted of three levels of AFB<SUB>1</SUB> in starter diet (0.4, 0.8 and 1.2 mg kg <SUP>1</SUP>) along with a control group (no AFB<SUB>1</SUB>). Feed intake and daily weight gain were recorded weekly. On days 7, 14, 21 and 28, one bird from each replicate was weighed and humanly killed to collect blood samples and to weigh proventriculus, gizzard, duodenum, pancreas, heart, liver, spleen, bursa of fabricius and brain. From day 18, chromic oxide-marked feed was fed to the birds for 4 consecutive days. On day 21, feces collection was made every 6 h and a pooled sample was used for determination of nutrients digestibility. Feeding AFB<SUB>1</SUB> significantly decreased feed intake and body weight gain and increased relative weight of liver (p< 0.05). Relative weight of brain decreased on day 7 and then showed a significant increase by day 28 (p< 0.05). AFB<SUB>1</SUB> significantly (P< 0.05) increased serum concentration of Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and Alanin aminotransferase (ALT) and decreased serum concentration of Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH). Feeding AFB<SUB>1</SUB> at 0.8 and 1.2 mg kg <SUP>1</SUP> diet, caused a significant reduction in AME content of the diet, organic matter, dry matter, calcium and phosphorus (p< 0.05). Digestibility of fat and protein were not significantly affected by feeding AFB<SUB>1</SUB>. A significant reduction in uric acid excretion was induced due to AFB<SUB>1</SUB> inclusion into the diet (p< 0.05). This study demonstrated that feeding  AFB<SUB>1</SUB>  at  the  used  levels can impair digestibility of nutrients, especially calcium and phosphorus. Furthermore,  alongside  with  other  negative effects, AFB<SUB>1</SUB> may have some adverse effects on the liver and brain of broilers.
ER  -