Effect of low levels of aflatoxin B1 on performance, biochemical parameters,and aflatoxin B1 in broiler liver tissues in the presence of monensin and sodium bentonite

MAGNOLI A.P.,; MONGE M.P.,; MIAZZO R.D.,; CAVAGLIERI L.R; MAGNOLI C; CRISTOFOLINI A.,; DALCERO A.M; CHIACCHIERA S.M.

POULTRY SCIENCE

POULTRY SCIENCE ASSOC INC

Año: 2011 p. 48 - 58

0032-5791

Aflatoxins (AF) are a major problem in broiler production; and are significant economic and public health burdens worldwide. A commercial sodium bentonite (NaB) adsorbent was used to prevent aflatoxicosis with the objectives of the present study being to determine the effects of AFs at a level known to occur naturally (50 µg/kg aflatoxin B1) in broilers on productivity, biochemical parameters, macroscopic and microscopic changes and AFB1 liver residues in presence of NaB (0.3%) and monensin (MON, 50 mg/kg). The dietary treatments were as follows: Treatment 1 (T1): basal diet (B); T2: B + MON; T3: B + NaB; T4: B + NaB + MON; T5: B + AFB1; T6: B + AFB1 + NaB + MON; T7: B + AFB1 + MON; T8: B + AFB1 + NaB. Birds were fed dietary treatments for 28 days (day 18- 46). There were no significant differences among treatments with respect to broiler performance, biochemical parameters, or relative liver weights. With the exception of T8, microscopic changes in the livers of broilers in treatments containing AFs showed accumulation of fat vacuoles, confirming histopathological alterations. The residual AFB1 levels in livers from T5 to T8, ranged from 0.2 to 1.0 ng/g, and were higher in livers from T6. Results of this study indicate a competition for adsorption sites on NaB between AFB1 and MON, when feed contains a naturally occurring levels of the toxin; indicating a non-selective adsorption capacity of this NaB. In addition, significant levels of AFB1 remain in the liver indicating that this determination is not only important for the diagnosis of aflatoxicosis in broilers but also for quality control of avian products.