Effect of feed contamination with Aflatoxin B1 and administration of exogenous Corticosterone on Japanese quail biochemical and immunological parameters.

NAZAR, F. N.; MAGNOLI, A. P.; DALCERO, A. M.; MARIN, R. H.

POULTRY SCIENCE

POULTRY SCIENCE ASSOC INC

Año: 2012 vol. 91 p. 47 - 54

0032-5791

Stress is the loss of homeostasis by external forces or stressors. Manipulation, transport, contamination and other procedures involved in production could be considered stressors. Contamination is a problem commonly faced by producers in poultry industry. Aflatoxicosis is one of the most usual infections resulting from feed contaminated with Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus. This study evaluated the potential effects of the combined administration of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and corticosterone on biochemical (concentration of globulins, proteins and albumin) and immunological (inflammatory response and heterophil ? lymphocyte ratio) parameters of Japanese quail. Potential gender effects on those parameters were also considered. The provision of corticosterone in drinking water is a method used for mimicking the effects of chronic stress in avian species. At 35 d of age, 24 mixed-sex groups of 4 animals (2 males and 2 females) were housed in cages and assigned to one of four treatments: plain drinking water and laying diet, corticosterone administration in drinking water, feed contamination with AFB1 (100ug/kg of feed), or corticosterone plus AFB1 administration. There were 6 cages per treatment. No significant effect of gender in any of the parameters analyzed was detected. Hypoproteinaemia, hypoalbuminaemia and hypoglobulinaemia were observed in animals treated with corticosterone or contaminated feed. These responses were exacerbated when the factors were combined. The immunodepressive effect of corticosterone administration was confirmed and a higher effect was noticed when combined with the aflatoxin contamination. Aflatoxin contamination affected bird´s physiology similarly to a chronic stressor stimulation since it elevates the heterophil - lymphocyte ratio. This study suggests that the effects of the AFB1 contamination are further increased when overlapped with a chronic stressful stimulation and emphasizes the importance of controlling potential stressor combinations during animal rearing to preserve not only the animal?s health status but also their welfare.