Variation with age in response of broilers to aflatoxin

Area of Science:

• Animal Science
• Toxicology
• Poultry Nutrition

Background:

• Aflatoxins are toxic secondary metabolites produced by fungi that can contaminate animal feed.
• Broiler chickens are susceptible to mycotoxin contamination, impacting their health and productivity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of dietary aflatoxin on broiler growth, blood parameters, and plasma composition.
• To determine the age-dependent susceptibility of broilers to aflatoxin exposure.

Main Methods:

• Commercial broilers were fed diets containing 0, 2.5, or 5.0 microgram/g of aflatoxin from various starting ages (1, 7, 14, 21 days).
• Weekly measurements included body weight, packed cell volume (PCV), erythrocyte counts, hemoglobin, and mortality.
• Plasma cholesterol and total protein levels were also assessed weekly.

Main Results:

• Aflatoxin at 2.5 and 5.0 microgram/g significantly depressed body weight and PCV in a dose-dependent manner when administered early in life (1 or 7 days).
• Higher aflatoxin levels (5.0 microgram/g) continued to suppress body weight and PCV when treatment started from 2 to 5 weeks.
• Plasma cholesterol and total protein were more sensitive indicators of aflatoxin toxicity than growth parameters, with plasma proteins being the most sensitive across all ages and doses.

Conclusions:

• Early-life exposure to dietary aflatoxin significantly impairs broiler growth and hematological parameters.
• Plasma protein levels are the most reliable biomarker for assessing aflatoxin toxicity in broilers.
• Age and dosage influence broiler susceptibility to aflatoxin, with younger birds and higher doses showing greater negative impacts.