Potential for amelioration of aflatoxin B1-induced immunotoxic effects in progeny of white leghorn breeder hens co-exposed to vitamin E

Abstract

This study was designed to evaluate the protective activity of Vitamin E (Vit E) on the immunotoxic effects induced by aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in the progeny of breeder hens. For this purpose, 192 White Leghorn (WL) layer breeder hens were divided into 12 groups (A-L) and then fed test diets for either 1, 2 or 3 weeks. Group A was kept on basal feed (2900 Kcal/kg metabolizable energy) and served as control, while group B was offered a feed supplemented with Vit E at 100 mg/Kg. Groups C-G were offered feed containing 0.1, 0.5, 2.5, 5.0, and 10.0 mg/Kg AFB1, respectively, whereas groups H-L were offered the same dietary levels of AFB1 along with 100 mg/Kg Vit E supplementation. Hatching eggs were shifted to an incubator on a weekly basis to get progeny chicks. Hatched chicks in each group were maintained on basal ration and then subjected to different immunological assays. Lymphoproliferative responses (against PHA-P), antibody titers (against SRBC), oxidative damage to RBC, as well as phagocytic and nitrite production potential of the peritoneal macrophages from the chicks, were all adversely impacted by hen exposure to the higher doses of AFB1 or by increased intake (time) by the hens at a given dose of the toxin. No consistent ameliorative effects from Vit E were noted in these studies, i.e. effects seen against lower AFB1 doses were no longer apparent with the highest doses of AFB1. As such, for now it can be concluded that, with this particular single dose level of Vit E, AFB1-associated immunotoxic effects in progeny chicks can potentially be mitigated by dietary intake of Vit E by their hen dams. However, this is clearly an outcome that is driven by the level of the mycotoxin present in the feed. Future studies need to examine what impact higher Vit E doses than those employed herein might have in these ameliorative outcomes.

Effects of dietary inclusion of commercial toxin binders and prebiotics on performance and immune responses of broiler chicks fed aflatoxin-contaminated diets

“…Interdigital administration of PHA could stimulate T-lymphocyte with a slight effect on B-lymphocytes (Raju & Devegowda, 2002). Birds fed with mycotoxins had lower antibody titers, compared to other birds (Khan et al, 2014). The lower immune responses in AFB1 may be due to the prevention of protein synthesis, which decreases IgG and IgA production (Sur & Celik, 2004).…”

“…It has been reported as a 21% reduction in body weight of broilers fed with 300 µg/kg AFB1 in their diet (Raju & Devegowda, 2002). It has been shown that birds receiving mycotoxins have lower antibody titers (Girish et al, 2008;Khan et al, 2014). Studies have also shown that aflatoxin-contaminated diets may cause biochemical and physiological damage to the liver (Gowda et al, 2008;Rezaret al, 2007).…”

Protective Effect of Yeast Sludge and Whey Powder against Ochratoxicosis in Broiler Chicks

“…An effective approach for detoxification of mycotoxin in animal feedstuff is the usage of nutritionally inert substances, which can minimize the level of toxicity. Toxin binders, such as aluminosilicate, yeast, lactic acid producing bacteria and detoxifying agents such as vitamin E, are used in the feed to reduce the harmful effects of these mycotoxins on poultry birds 2014a;Chen et al, 2016).…”

Hematological and Serum Biochemical Effects of Aflatoxin B1 Intoxication in Broilers Experimentally Infected with Fowl Adenovirus-4 (FAdV-4)

“…AFB1 has been identified as group 1 carcinogenic agent by the International agency for research on cancer (IRAC). In livestock and poultry, AFB1 is considered as potent hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic agent causing immunosuppressive, mutagenic and teratogenic effects (Hassan et al, 2012;Khan et al, 2014). In poultry industry aflatoxicosis is considered an important issue by virtue of its occurrence and toxicities (Saleemi et al, 2015).…”