Influence of dietary aflatoxin on certain serum enzyme levels in broiler chickens

Experimental aflatoxicosis was produced in 'Cobb' broiler chickens by feeding them with dietary aflatoxin at concentrations of 1 and 3 ppm for a period of four weeks from 0 to 28 days. Twelve birds in triplicate were used for each treatment of which three from each replicate were sacrificed at weekly intervals for enzymatic estimations of SGPT, SGOT, Serum amylase and serum lipase. Thus each treatment contained nine weekly observations and 36 observations in total. The SGPT activity was not found in appreciable amounts either in control or in toxin treated birds. However, the SGOT levels were in measurable amounts and elevated levels were observed in toxin treated birds from first week onwards at both levels of toxin and was dose related. The treatment means of SGOT differed significantly (P less than 0.05). The serum lipase levels increased from first week onwards and the treatment means showed significant difference (P less than 0.01). Serum lipase changes in toxin treated birds occurred to about the same extent. But the serum amylase levels decreased from first week onwards and their treatment means differed significantly (P less than 0.01) at both levels of toxin treated birds. Serum amylase concentrations decreased as the aflatoxin level increased in the diet.