Clinico-haematological and mineral studies on experimental maduramicin toxicity in chickens

Clinico-haematological and mineral studies were carried out in experimental chickens given maduramicin medicated feed at 5 and 10 ppm for 21 days. Maduramicin medication in both medicated groups caused growth retardation. Clinical signs namely watery diarrhoea, depression, dullness and ruffled feathers were noticed in chickens from second week of the medication at 10 ppm but this effect was seen from third week in the birds given maduramicin at 5 ppm. Maduramicin medication caused significant reduction in haemoglobin in both the medicated group from day 14 and total erythrocyte count and packed cell volume in 10 ppm group on day 21. There was an increase in MCV in 10 ppm group on day 21 indicating macrocytic anaemia and decrease in mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) in both the medicated groups indicating hypochromic anaemia. The leucopenia due to lymphopenia was observed in 10 ppm group on day 21. Maduramicin medication caused significant increase in serum Zn in 10 ppm group and decrease in Cu concentration in both the medicated groups from day 14. It is concluded that maduramicin caused toxic effects from day 14 in both the medicated groups.