Phytochemicals reduce aflatoxin-induced toxicity in chicken embryos

Area of Science:

• Poultry Science
• Toxicology
• Natural Product Chemistry

Background:

• Aflatoxins (AF), toxic fungal metabolites, contaminate poultry feed, causing reduced performance and egg production.
• AF residues in fertilized eggs decrease embryo viability and hatchability, leading to significant economic losses in the poultry industry.
• Phytochemicals carvacrol (CR) and trans-cinnamaldehyde (TC) are explored for their potential protective effects against mycotoxin-induced toxicity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the efficacy of carvacrol (CR) and trans-cinnamaldehyde (TC) in mitigating aflatoxin (AF)-induced toxicity in chicken embryos.
• To evaluate the impact of these phytochemicals on key embryonic growth parameters and survival rates.

Main Methods:

• Day-old embryonated eggs were injected with 50 ng or 75 ng of AF, with or without 0.1% CR or TC.
• Eggs were incubated for 18 days, and parameters including relative embryo weight, yolk sac weight, tibia weight and length, and mortality were recorded.
• Experiments were replicated three times with 15 eggs per treatment group (n=150 eggs/experiment).

Main Results:

• Both CR and TC significantly reduced AF-induced toxicity in chicken embryos.
• At 75 ng AF/egg, CR and TC increased embryo survival by approximately 55%.
• Phytochemical treatments improved relative embryo weight and embryonic growth (tibia length and weight) compared to AF-only groups, without adverse effects on survival.

Conclusions:

• Carvacrol (CR) and trans-cinnamaldehyde (TC) demonstrate significant protective effects against aflatoxin (AF) toxicity in chicken embryos.
• These phytochemicals enhance embryo survival and promote better embryonic growth, suggesting their potential as natural feed additives in poultry.
• Further research is needed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of action for CR and TC in mitigating AF toxicity.