Effect of Synertox® on broiler health and performance during aflatoxicosis

A M Shareef ,E.k.s Ar

doi:10.33899/ijvs.2020.167132

Abstract

Eighty, one-day-old commercial male broiler chicks (Ross 308), were distributed to four dietary treatments with two replicates of 10 chicks each, to study the effect of Synertox® on broiler performance during aflatoxicosis. Birds were reared for 42 days. All birds were fed on diet with or without aflatoxin (AF) in feed, and with or without Synertox (ST) (enzymes, organic acids and yeast extract) in water. The treatments were as follow: T1 (0 ppm AF and no ST); T2 (2.5 ppm AF and no ST); T3 (0 ppm AF and 0.5 ml/l ST); T4 (2.5 ppm AF and 0.5 ml/l ST). Body weights and feed intake were recorded weekly. At 42 of bird’s age, five birds were randomly selected for estimation of antibody titres against Newcastle disease (ND; for calculation of the relative weight of bursa of Fabricius, thymus and spleen as well as for scoring liver and kidney lesions. The results show that the total body weight gain through 42 days of rearing period that the gain was highest in T3. In the second order was the weight of the control group (T1), while in the third order was T4. The worst body weight gain was reported in T2, in which chicks fed AF. The same picture in body weight gain was obtained with feed consumption and feed conversion ratio. AF had a significant negative effect on the liver parenchyma of broiler chicks in treatment 2, by changing liver colour from mahogany to enlarged muddy or even to yellowish discolouration, with friable consistency with sub capsular haemorrhages. The addition of Synertox® was effective in restoring the normal red brown liver colour. Kidney were also affected by feeding AF (T2). They were enlarged, swollen and pale in colour. All lymphoid organs tested, thymus, bursa of Fabricius and spleen were negatively affected by feeding AF in broilers at 42 days of age. Synertox® was effective in counteracting the negative effect of AF on relative bursal weight, thymus and spleen relative weights. Aflatoxin had detrimental negative effect on the ND ELISA mean antibody titre. A significant restoring of ND antibody titre to those of control group (T1) was recorded by addition of Synertox® to the drinking water of broilers in (T4) compared with the AF fed T2 group. From the studied parameters it could be concluded that Synertox® could be used in counteracting the negative effects of AF on health and performance of broiler chicks.

Highlights

Aflatoxins (AF), the toxic secondary metabolites produced by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus, are a major concern in the poultry production
Addition of Synertox ® in T4, was effective in restoring the body weight to that of control one, since there was a significant difference between T4 and T2
Detoxifying agents and adsorbents are added to the manufactured poultry feed to prevent or minimize its toxic effect where we have no sufficient laboratory capability to confirm the purchase of ingredients free of mycotoxins

Summary

Introduction

Aflatoxins (AF), the toxic secondary metabolites produced by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus, are a major concern in the poultry production. AF metabolites are stable and fairly resistant compounds to degradation These metabolites are usually produced during the growth of the Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus parasitcus and Aspergillus nominus on certain foods and feedstuffs under favourable conditions of moisture, temperature and aeration [1]. Their toxicity depends on several factors including its concentration, the duration of exposure, the species, sex, age, and health status of animals. Contamination of AF in feed causes aflatoxicosis in poultry that is characterised by reduced feed intake, decreased weight gain, poor feed utilization, increased susceptibility to environmental and microbial stresses, and increased mortality [2]. With increasing knowledge and awareness of AF as a potent source of health hazards to both man and farm animals, producers, researchers and government organizations are making great effort to develop effective preventive management and decontamination technologies to minimise the toxic effects of AF content in foods and feedstuffs

Methods

Results

Conclusion