The effects of aflatoxin B1 and silymarin-containing milk thistle seeds on ileal morphology and digestibility in broiler chickens

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and milk thistle seed (MTS) on some apparent ileal morphology and digestibility variables in the small intestines of broilers. A total of 216 Ross 308 male broiler chickens were allocated in a 3 3 factorial arrangement of the treatments with three concentration of AFB1 (0, 250, and 500 ppb) and three levels of MTS (0, 5, and 10 g kg -1 ). On day 35, the birds that received diets with 500 ppb of AFB1 alone (main effect) showed significant decrease in apparent ileal digestibility [dry matter (DM; 72.46±0.27) and ratio of VL to crypt depth (VL/CD; 4.74±0.07)] in their ileum segments (P<0.01). However, the mean nitrogen (N; 61.39±0.48) and crypt depth (CD; 173.5±9.87), in the ileum were significantly greater for the birds that were fed with 500 ppb AFB1 alone in their diets when compared with the control (P<0.01). Also, thistle seeds can ameliorate the toxic effects of AFB1 on some ileal digestibility factors, that is, DM, N, Ca, and CP, in broiler chicks. Nevertheless, ileum morphology of VW and goblet cell numbers were not affected negatively by the AFB1 plus MTS in diets. The results of this study indicated that the use of MTS independently reduced the toxic effects of AFB1, facilitated the absorption of nutrients, and reduced the metabolic demands of the intestinal tract in broiler chickens.

Effects of Silybin Supplementation on Nutrient Digestibility, Hematological Parameters, Liver Performance, and Liver-specific mi-RNA Concentration in Dogs

“…To our knowledge, no experiments have investigated the effects of silybin on nutrient digestibility in dogs. The literature does, however, discuss these effects in other animals: One report suggests that Silybum marianum (L.) as source of silymarin has no effect on nutrient digestibility in buffalos [22], while an experiment with broiler chickens incorporating S. marianum seeds into the diet resulted in increased nutrient digestibility in terms of mycotoxin-contaminated feed [23]. The present study found no clinically signi cant differences in hematological parameters between the groups of dogs.…”

The effects of Cynara scolymus and Silybum marianum on growth, carcass and organ characteristics, immunity, blood constitutes, liver enzymes, jejunum morphology, and fatty acid profile of breast meat in broilers

“…In a study by Hasheminejad et al. ( 2015 ), supplementation of two concentrations of SM seeds (5 and 10 g/kg) in broiler diets did not affect villus height or length, crypt depth, goblet cell number, and ratio of villus height to crypt depth.…”

“…The morphological characteristics of the jejunum are presented in Thickness of muscle layer and villus height to crypt depth ratio were highest in the treatment with 500 mg/kg CS and 250 mg/kg SM and the lowest in the treatment with 250 mg/kg of both supplements. In a study by Hasheminejad et al (2015), supplementation of two concentrations of SM seeds (5 and 10 g/kg) in broiler diets did not affect villus height or length, crypt depth, goblet cell number, and ratio of villus height to crypt depth.…”

Iraqi Propolis effective in avoiding deviations of gut rat's homeostasis exposed to AFB-1

“…Certainly in our experiment, there was a tendency to an restored goblet cells to normal levels and size when propolis was administered to Aflatoxin-B1 exposed rats. It had been found that intestinal crypt depth (but not villus length) increased linearly with increasing Aflatoxin-B1 concentration [24].…”