Effect of Polyherbal Feed Supplement "Growell" during Induced Aflatoxicosis, Ochratoxicosis and Combined Mycotoxicoses in Broiler

D R Kalorey,N V Kurkure,J S Ramgaonkar,P S Sakhare,Shubhangi Warke,N K Nigot

doi:10.5713/ajas.2005.375

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to study the protective role of polyherbal feed supplement (Growell) during induced mycotoxicosis in broilers. A total of 240 Vencobb broilers were divided at day old stage into eight equal groups. Group A served as control and was given plain feed, group B, D, F and H were given Growell at 0.35 g/kg of feed. Group C, D, G and H were given dietary aflatoxin B1 at 0.2 ppm and groups E, F, G and H were given ochratoxin A at 0.2 ppm in feed to study effect of Growell on individual aflatoxicosis, ochratoxicosis and combined mycotoxicosis of broilers. The chicks were given their respective feeds from 1st day to 6th week of age and were vaccinated at 7th and 28th day of age with Lasota strain of Newcastle disease virus. There was no statistically significant effect of mycotoxins individually or in combination on body weight of broilers. However, body weights were highest in group B and lowest in co-mycotoxicated group G. Feed conversion ratio was best in group B followed by A, D, F, E, H and G. Significant improvement in haemoglobin values was observed in broilers due to feeding of Growell in ochratoxin and co-mycotoxicated groups. There was no significant effect of mycotoxin treatment on PCV, TEC and TLC of broilers. Due to single and combined mycotoxicosis, there was reduction in serum total protein, albumin, cholesterol and triglyceride and rise in alkaline phosphatase, creatinine and uric acid levels. Supplementation of diets with Growell reduced the alterations induced due to mycotoxins. There was a significant rise in per cent organ weight of liver and reduction of that of spleen, bursa of Fabricius and thymus of broilers fed mycotoxins. Protection from alteration in per cent organ weight of these organ by supplementation of Growell was recorded. The observed impaired immune response and histopathological changes in liver, kidney, spleen, bursa of Fabricius and thymus of broilers given mycotoxins were protected by supplementation of Growell. (Asian-Aust. J. Anim. Sci. 2005. Vol 18, No. 3 : 375-383)

Highlights

Aflatoxin is produced by fungi namely Aspergillus and Penicillium
Stoev et al, (2000) and Kurkure et al (2000) reported that extract of artichoke and Curcuma longa reduces the toxic effect of ochratoxin A and aflatoxin B1 respectively in chicks
Immunological parameters : Humoral immune response of birds against NCDV post vaccination was adjudged by estimating haemaggutination inhibition (HI) titer at weekly intervals as per procedure recommended by OIE (2000)

Summary

INTRODUCTION

Aflatoxin is produced by fungi namely Aspergillus and Penicillium. High levels of aflatoxin have been recorded in ingredients of poultry feed soyabean, sunflower, rice polish, cotton seed etc. (Jand et al, 1995). Chronic aflatoxicosis due to prolonged intake of low levels of aflatoxin retards growth, reduces FCR and increases suspectibility of chicks to infectious diseases (Boonchuvit and Hamilton, 1975; Giambrone et al, 1978). Chemical adsorbents (Kubena et al, 1993), Levamisole (Kalorey, 1993), Glucomannon (Raju and Devegowda, 2000) as well as Growell (Godbole et al., 2001) have been tried with varying success to reduce toxicity and impairment of immune response during aflatoxicosis in birds. (2000) and Kurkure et al (2000) reported that extract of artichoke and Curcuma longa reduces the toxic effect of ochratoxin A and aflatoxin B1 respectively in chicks. Protective role of polyherbal feed supplement “Growell” is studied during induced aflatoxicosis, ochratoxicosis and combined mycotoxicoses in broilers

MATERIALS AND METHODS

RESULTS

Findings

DISCUSSION