Effect of Sodium Selenite on Pathological Changes and Renal Functions in Broilers Fed a Diet Containing Aflatoxin B₁

To evaluate the renal toxicity of dietary aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) and ameliorating effects of added dietary sodium selenite in broiler, renal histopathological changes, ultrastructural changes, and renal function parameters were monitored at 7, 14, and 21 days of age. Two hundred one-day-old healthy male Avian broilers were divided into four groups, namely control group, AFB₁ group (0.3 mg/kg AFB₁), +Se group (0.4 mg/kg Se), and AFB₁+Se group (0.3 mg/kg AFB₁+0.4 mg/kg Se). Compared with that of the control group, the relative weight of kidney was increased in the AFB₁ group. There were no significant differences between the AFB₁+Se group and the control group. By histopathological observation, the renal epithelia were swelling and necrosis at 7 and 21 days of age. Ultrastructurally, the lipid droplets and expanded endoplasmic reticulum appeared in the plasma of epithelia cells in the AFB₁ group. Enlarged mitochondria with degenerated cristae were observed in the +Se group. Compared with the control group, the contents of serum creatinine and serum uric acid in the AFB₁ group were increased, while the activity of renal Na⁺-K⁺ ATPase was decreased. When 0.4 mg/kg selenium was added into the diet containing 0.3 mg/kg AFB₁, there were no obvious histological changes in the AFB₁+Se group, and the contents of the serum creatinine and serum uric acid contents and the activity of renal Na⁺-K⁺ ATPase were close to those in the control group. In conclusion, sodium selenite exhibited protective effects on AFB₁-induced kidney toxicity in broilers.