Evaluation of zinc against salinomycin toxicity in broilers

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Animal Nutrition
• Toxicology

Background:

• Salinomycin is an ionophore antibiotic used in poultry production.
• Potential toxicity of salinomycin necessitates investigation into its management.
• Oxidative stress is a suspected mechanism underlying ionophore toxicity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the toxic effects of salinomycin in broiler chicks.
• To assess the prophylactic and therapeutic efficacy of zinc supplementation against salinomycin toxicity.
• To elucidate the role of oxidative damage in salinomycin toxicity.

Main Methods:

• Broiler chicks were divided into seven groups, receiving varying doses of salinomycin and/or zinc.
• Body weights and key serobiochemical parameters were monitored weekly.
• Parameters assessed included antioxidant enzyme activities (glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, catalase), oxidative stress markers (glutathione), liver enzymes (AST, ALT), and lipid profiles (total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, HDL), along with kidney function markers (urea, creatinine, BUN).

Main Results:

• Salinomycin toxicity significantly decreased body weight and altered biochemical parameters, including elevated liver enzymes, lipids, and kidney markers, with reduced antioxidant capacity.
• Zinc supplementation, whether prophylactic or therapeutic, reversed these negative impacts, restoring biochemical parameters to normal levels.
• The findings indicate that salinomycin toxicity is linked to oxidative stress.

Conclusions:

• Salinomycin toxicity in broiler chicks is mediated by oxidative damage.
• Zinc supplementation demonstrates significant potential in preventing and treating salinomycin-induced toxicity.
• Dietary zinc is a viable strategy to manage accidental salinomycin toxicity in poultry.