No abstract

A protective effect of two herbs, Glycyrrhiza glabra and Tinospora cordifolia, given as feed additives was observed against the growth inhibitory effect of ochratoxin A (OTA) and associated immunosuppression and biochemical or pathomorphological changes. The feed levels of 3 mg/kg OTA and fine powder of one of both herbs were given during a period of 32 days to female broiler chicks divided into 3 experimental and 1 control groups (14 chicks per group). The observed pathological and biochemical changes, the changes in relative organs’ weight and body weight, and the decrease of antibody titer against Newcastle disease were more pronounced in the OTA-treated chicks without herbal supplementation, and less pronounced in the chicks treated additionally with G. glabra or T. cordifolia as was shown by the better feed performance and the higher body weight in the chicks treated with the herbs. The higher relative weight of lymphoid organs of the chicks supplemented with both herbs revealed their beneficial effects on the immune system. The hepatoprotective effect of both herbs was evident, being stronger in the chicks additionally supplemented with G. glabra shown by the pathomorphological findings and by the lower levels of aspartate transaminase (131.1 U/l) compared to chicks given only OTA (156.0 U/l). A protective effect of T. cordifolia on the bone marrow and kidneys was found as was shown by the lower levels of uric acid (382.9 μmol/l) compared to chicks given only OTA (466.9 μmol/l).

Aflatoxins are toxic metabolites of moulds from the genus Aspergillus (Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus being the main producers). The aim of the present investigation was to evaluate the toxic effects of aflatoxin B1 on bursa of Fabricius morphology. Also, the possibility for prevention of toxic effects of AFB1 by feed supplementation of a mycosorbent (Mycotox NB) was studied. Experiments were carried out with sixty 7-day-old female turkey broilers (meat TM strain) divided into one control and five treatment groups (n=10). Groups were as followed: Group I – control (fed standard feed according to the species and age of birds); Group II – experimental, whose feed was supplemented with 0.5 g/kg Mycotox NG, Group III– experimental, whose feed contained 0.2 mg/kg aflatoxin B1, Group IV – experimental, whose feed contained 0.4 mg/kg aflatoxin B1, Group V – experimental, supplemented with 0.2 mg/kg aflatoxin B1 and 0.5 g/kg Mycotox NG and Group VI – experimental, supplemented with 0.4 mg/kg aflatoxin B1 and 0.5 g/kg Mycotox NG. The duration of the experiments was 42 days. The changes in bursal morphology in control and treated groups were followed out after the end of the study. In birds from experimental groups ІІI and IV, atrophy and degenerative changes have occurred in the bursa of Fabricius: reduction of lymphoid cell - populations in lymphoid follicles along with dystrophy. Feed supplementation with the tested toxin binder (Groups V and VI) resulted in partial neutralisation of deleterious effects of AFB1 on severity of histological lesions: interfollicular oedema, considerably lower lymphoid follicle rarefaction.

The changes in relative weight of kidneys, blood plasma uric acid, urea, creatinine, calcium and inorganic phosphate, and the morphology of kidneys were investigated in turkey broilers with experimentally induced aflatoxicosis B1 (AFB1) treated or not with a mycosorbent (Mycotox NB). Experiments were carried out with 60 7-day-old female turkey broilers (meat TM strain) divided into one control and five treatment groups (n=10): Group I – control (0 mg/kg AFB1 not supplemented with Mycotox NG); Group II (0.5 g/kg Mycotox NG), Group III (0.2 mg/kg AFB1), Group IV (0.4 mg/kg AFB1), Group V (0.2 mg/kg AFB1 and 0.5 g/kg Mycotox NG) and Group VI (0.4 mg/kg AFB1 and 0.5 g/kg Mycotox NG). The changes in blood parameters were assayed on day 21 and 42. Blood analysis in groups III and IV on day 21 showed increased urea and creatinine concentrations and reduction in blood uric acid, calcium and inorganic phosphate. These changes tended to become more pronounced on day 42. The relative weight of kidneys was increased in groups III and IV after the end of the experiment. Morphological alterations of renal parenchyma in Groups I and II were not present. In birds from group III, desquamation of epithelial cells from the basement membrane, dilated glomerular subcapsular space and round-cell proliferation were noted. In Group V, these changes were far more severe and comprised granular and fatty dystrophy, karyolysis and plasmolysis, necrobiotic to necrotic processes, haemorrhages, congestion. The supplementation of the feed of groups V and VI with the tested toxin binder reduced the severity of reduction of kidneys’ relative weight, magnitude of changes in blood parameters, and the frequency and severity of histological lesions.