Determination of the effects of aflatoxin B₁givenin ovoon the proximal tibial growth plate of broiler chickens: histological, histometric and immunohistochemical findings

Abstract

Detrimental effects of aflatoxin B 1 (AFB 1 ) on the embryonic development of broiler tibia and its proximal growth plate were determined by means of histological, histometric and immunohistochemical methods. For this, 420 fertile eggs from parent stocks of Ross 308 broiler chickens were divided into five groups according to the proposed treatment: a control untreated group, a group injected with 30% ethanol and three further groups to be injected with 5 , 15 or 40 ng AFB 1 . The eggs were injected into the air space prior to incubation. Five eggs from each group were opened at 9, 11, 13, 17, 19 and 21 days of incubation and tibial tissue samples were removed, dissected of muscle and connective tissues, and processed by means of routine histological techniques. The cell proliferation rate of the epiphyseal growth plate cells was determined by immunohistochemical assay of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression. The results showed that both proliferative and hypertrophic zones narrowed significantly (P B0.05), when compared with the controls, in all of the AFB 1 -treated groups whereas the transitional zone thickened, especially in the group given 40 ng AFB 1 group. The PCNA positivity indices of 15 and 40 ng AFB 1 -treated groups were significantly higher (P B0.05) on days 11, 13, 17, 19 and 21 of incubation. It was concluded that in ovoadministered AFB 1 adversely affected embryonic development of the tibial growth plate, and that affected hatched broilers might also be more susceptible to skeletal disorders during growth.

Aflatoxicosis: Lessons from Toxicity and Responses to Aflatoxin B1 in Poultry

“…Embryonic AFB1 exposure can lead to morphological defects [212], such as abnormal area opaca cells [210,214], skeletal defects in the tibia growth plate [213], and inhibition of bursal follicle development [210,214]. These mutagenic effects can reduce embryo viability and adversely affect hatched progeny.…”

“…In experimental settings, in ovo exposure of chickens or turkeys to AFB1 caused DNA damage in the embryonic liver and increased embryo mortality [131,161,[210][211][212][213][214][215]. When introduced into the maternal diet to simulate the natural route of embryonic exposure, AFB1 caused reduced hatchability [130,131,161].…”

Assessment of serum biochemical parameters and pathological changes in broilers with chronic aflatoxicosis fed glucomannan-containing yeast product (Mycosorb) and sodium bentonite

“…The toxic effects of aflatoxin in poultry have been thoroughly studied by determining their teratogenic, carcinogenic, mutagenic, and growth inhibitory effects (26). The biochemical, haematological (4,22), immunological (17), and pathological (24) effects of aflatoxin have also been described in details.…”

“…Zeolites (12,16), bentonites (7,11,26), and yeast/esterified glucomannan (1,4,6,15) were opted for because of their effect on reducing aflatoxin absorption from the gastrointestinal tract. Some studies have showed that the best method for decontamination is biological degradation by yeast and yeast components, which can remove aflatoxin under mild conditions, without using harmful chemicals or causing noticeable losses in nutritive value and palatableness of the feed (21,30).…”

Effects of Yeast Glucomannan and Sodium Bentonite on the Toxicity of Aflatoxin in Broilers

“…The most common are weakness, anorexia with reduced growth rate, poor feed utilization, slow weight gain, decreased egg weight and production, and increased mortality (Oguz et al, 2000). The toxicity of aflatoxin in poultry has been extensively studied to determine their teratogenic, carcinogenic, mutagenic, and growth-inhibition effects (Oznurlu et al, 2012). The biochemical, hematological Azizpour et al, 2012), immunological (Mogadam & Azizpour, 2011), and pathological (Ortatatli & Oguz, 2001) effects of aflatoxins have also been described in depth.…”