الفهرس | Only 14 pages are availabe for public view |
Abstract The present experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of exposure of chicks to aflatoxin and possible protective role of the food additives Eurotox and charcoal. This experiment was carried out~on 90 , one day old chicks divided equally into 6 groups . The first group kept as normal control while other groups were administrated either aflatoxin ( 0.5 ppm), Eurotox (3 gm/kg ration), charcoal (0.2 gm / kg ration),aflatoxin (0.Sppm) and Eurotox (3 gm/kg ration) or aflatoxin (0.5 ppm) and charcoal (0.2 gm/kg ration) for 4 weeks then received normal ration for 2 weeks. All groups except aflatoxin administrated group showed non significant change in all measured parameters One day old chicks exposed to 0.5 ppm aflatoxin for 4 weeks showed ruffled feathers, drooping of head and wings, yellowish diarrhoea and lameness. Also, the obtained results revealed reduction in body weight, performance and feed consumption together with increasing of feed conversion rate in chickens exposed to aflatoxin alone. Evaluation of hemogram , coagulation profile and serum biochemical parameters in chicks fed a ration supplemented with either aflatoxin, Eurotox, charcoal and aflatoxin with Eurotox or charcoal revealed significant changes only in the group exposed to aflatoxin. The picture of hemogram in the present work after administration of aflatoxin was normacytic normochromic anemia in the 2nd and 6 weeks and microcytic hypochromic anemia in the 4th week of experiment . Combination of Eurotox and aflatoxin caused a significant improvement in the values of RBCs , Rb , PCV , MCH and MCRC in the 4th and 6th weeks compared with aflatoxin exposed group; while combination of charcoal and aflatoxin revealed a significant enhancement in values of RBCs , PCV and Rb in the ~ and 6th weeks and MCH and MCRC in the 4th weeks. Regarding to the total and differential leukocytic counts the results proved a significant increase in total leukocytic count , heterophils and monocytes together with a decrease in lymphocytes and eosinophil after 4 weeks from exposure to afiatoxin. Combination of either drugs with aflatoxin caused a significant decrease in total leukocytic count , heterophils and nionocytes during the 4th week compared with aflatoxin exposed group. The obtained results proved a significant increase in clotting and prothrombin time in the 4th week in aflatoxin administrated group. There were a significant decrease in clotting and prothrombin time in combined administration of aflatoxin and Eurotox or charcoal during the 4th week compared with afiatoxin exposed group. Activities of AST and ALT were significantly increase along the experimental periods while AP were significantly elevated in aflatoxin received group in the 4th and 6th week. Results showed a significant decrease in total protein, albumin and globulin in aflatoxin exposed group in the 4th week. Groups administrated aflatoxin and Eurotox or charcoal showed no significant changes in total protein, Albumin, globulin, AJG ratio and AP; while AST and ALT were significantly decrease compared with aflatoxin received group. Chickens received aflatoxin showed significant decrease in serum levels of calcium with increased phosphorus, while creatinine and uric acid levels proved a significant increase. Combination of aflatoxin and Eurotox or charcoal caused a significant improvement in calcium level and phosphorus in the 4th week compared with aflatoxin received group Although post - mortum examination of liver and kidneys in aflatoxin exposed group revealed enlargement ; the thymus and bursa of Fabricius showed reduction in size . Also the intestine appeared congested and pericardial sacs were distended with fluids; while skeletal muscle showed hernorhage. Regarding the microscopical findings in aflatoxin exposed group the results showed cloudy swelling in both liver and kidneys ; while bursa o Fabricius and thymus showed lymphoid depletion . Edema was reported in intermuscular tissue of heart and submucosa of intestine . Also, myocardial muscle fibers showed hyaline degeneration. A very mild microscopical lesions were appeared in liver kidneys, bursa of Fabricius , thymus, intestine and heart in groups received combined administration of aflatoxin and Eurotox or Charcoal. |