Dietary inclusion of commercial toxin binders and probiotics alleviate adverse effects of aflatoxin on growth performance, immune responses, and blood biochemical parameters of broiler chicks

Abstract

Abstract This study was conducted to investigate the efficiency of dietary inclusion of commercial toxin binders and probiotics on performance, immune responses, intestinal morphology and blood biochemical parameters of broiler chicks fed with aflatoxin-contaminated diets. A total of 420 1-d-old broiler chicks, initial weight of 42 ±Â 3 g, were assigned to 7 treatments with 5 replications (n = 12). Experimental treatments included 1) non aflatoxin contaminated diet (NC), 2) aflatoxin-contaminated diet (PC), 3) PC diet containing probiotic, 4) PC diet containing ASRI1 toxin binder, 5) PC diet containing ASRI2 toxin binder, 6) PC diet containing probiotic+ASRI1 toxin binder, 7) PC diet containing probiotic+ASRI2 toxin binder. Humoral and cellular immunity, performance, intestinal morphology, and blood biochemistry parameters were evaluated. Results showed that body weight and feed conversion ratio were respectively higher and lower in the NC group compared with the PC group in the grower and finisher periods. Humoral and cellular immunity was reduced in broiler chicks receiving the PC diet compared with the NC diet (P < 0.05). Serum concentrations of liver enzymes were significantly increased in broiler chicks fed with NC diets (P < 0.05) compared with the PC diet groups. However, dietary inclusion of probiotics, commercial toxin binders and especially the combination of commercial toxin binders and probiotics could significantly alleviate adverse effects of aflatoxin on performance, immunity and some blood biochemistry parameters. It can be concluded that inclusion of a combination of probiotic and toxin binders to the diet is an efficient strategy in alleviating the negative effects of aflatoxin on broiler performance and health.