Blood serum protein status in broilers fed with increasing concentrations of ochratoxin A

Abstract

The 42-day long study was performed on a total number of 48 Hybro broilers divided into four groups. After the pre-experimental period of 14 days, 3 experimental groups of broilers (n=12) were formed and fed diets that contained 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 mg/kg ochratoxin A (OTA) during the next seven consecutive days. In the same period, the control group of broilers was fed a diet with no toxin added. After the period of toxin addition, blood samples were taken from 6 animals in each group. The remaining animals (n=6) from the control and experimental groups were fed diets without OTA until the 42nd day of the study, when the blood samples were taken again. The total level of blood serum proteins was affected by treatment with different doses of OTA, but a significant and dose dependent increase of albumins together with a decrease of γ-globulin fraction was established. A/G ratio (Albumine/Globuline) suggested that the globulins were the dominant protein fraction in the blood serum samples obtained from all the broilers included in this study. The concentrations of α- and β- globulin in the serum were within physiological limits, but the concentration of γ-globulins significantly decreased. It can be concluded that the increasing dietary OTA levels (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 mg/kg) had dose-dependent cumulative effect on blood serum proteins status in broilers, and the effect lasts even after the withdrawal of OTA from the feed.