Effects of Roxarsone on Performance, Toxicity, Tissue Accumulation and Residue of Eggs and Excreta in Laying Hens

Abstract

In this study, we examined the effects of a high dosage of roxarsone in the diet on the performance, liver function, and its residue in liver, eggs and excreta of laying hens. Seventy‐five 32‐week‐old layers were selected and randomly allocated into five dietary treatments with three replications for each treatment. Feeding periods were 4 weeks with an additional week for withdrawal. The experimental diets included 0, 11, 22, 44 or 88 mg kg‐1 arsenic from roxarsone, respectively. Dietary arsenic above 44 mg kg‐1 significantly decreased the egg production and feed intake of the layer (P < 0·05). Layers ceased to produce eggs after two weeks of feeding the 88 mg kg‐1 arsenic supplement diet. Where the enzyme activities in the serum, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK) significantly increased. Also, the liver weight did not only significantly decrease (P < 0·05), but was also damaged on histological examination. Moreover, arsenic residues in the liver, eggs and the excreta significantly increased as dietary arsenic level was increased (P < 0·05). The serum enzyme activities of AST, LDH, CK returns to normal after a week of the drug withdrawal. Arsenic residues in liver, egg and excreta also significantly declined in the withdrawal period (P < 0·05). Furthermore, the hepatic cells were vacuolised from layers treated with 88 mg kg‐1 of arsenic. © 1997 SCI.

Protective Role of Spirulina and Vitamin E against Arsenic Toxicity in Rats

“…However, the arsenic toxicity caused hepatic insufficiency and vitamin E and spirulina improved the hepatic functions (decreased SGOT compared to arsenic treated rats), which were supported the findings of Richmond (1986) and Romay et al (1999), who stated that spirulina reduced hepatic damage due to drug abuse and heavy metal exposure. Previous study in layer birds observed that the SGPT, SGOT, ALP and LDH were increased due to dietary arsenic (Chiou et al, 1997). Akter et al (2010) reported that serum activity of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) was increased by arsenic intoxication but serum creatinine values were fluctuating of goat.…”

Organoarsenicals in poultry litter: Detection, fate, and toxicity

“…At 40-50 mg roxarsone/kg feed, layers experience decreased egg production, feed intake, body weight gain, and liver weight gain (Chiou et al, 1997). At even higher doses (i.e., 300 mg/kg) layers ceased producing eggs, suffered liver damage, and experienced improper enzyme and hormonal functioning (Chiou et al, 1997;Wu et al, 2006). In all cases, increased arsenic concentrations were detected in the liver, eggs, and feces.…”

“…Negative health impacts of the other organoarsenicals of concern have not been published; however, these effects are likely to be similar to those of roxarsone. Feeding of roxarsone (0-88 mg/kg) to layers over a period of 4-5 weeks leads to deposition of 24-60 ng/g arsenic in eggs (Chiou et al, 1997). At 40-50 mg roxarsone/kg feed, layers experience decreased egg production, feed intake, body weight gain, and liver weight gain (Chiou et al, 1997).…”

“…Feeding of roxarsone (0-88 mg/kg) to layers over a period of 4-5 weeks leads to deposition of 24-60 ng/g arsenic in eggs (Chiou et al, 1997). At 40-50 mg roxarsone/kg feed, layers experience decreased egg production, feed intake, body weight gain, and liver weight gain (Chiou et al, 1997). At even higher doses (i.e., 300 mg/kg) layers ceased producing eggs, suffered liver damage, and experienced improper enzyme and hormonal functioning (Chiou et al, 1997;Wu et al, 2006).…”

“…These chemicals prevent disease, accelerate growth, increase feed efficiency, and improve meat pigmentation in poultry (Christen, 2001). Elevated concentrations of arsenic have been detected in the body fat, tissue, liver, eggs, and feathers of poultry that consumed organoarsenicals (Chiou et al, 1997(Chiou et al, , 1998. More than 90% of organoarsenicals administered to poultry are excreted unchanged (Morrison, 1969;Webb and Fontenot, 1975).…”