Active role of lactoferrin on arsenic and imidacloprid toxicity in broiler chicks

Abstract

This work aimed to evaluate the lactoferrin (LF) effect on arsenic (As) and imidacloprid (IMI) toxicity in broiler chicks. One-week old broiler chicks (n=105) were divided into seven groups (x15 each). The animals were orally supplemented with As, IMI, and/or LF for 4 weeks as follows: Control (G1) no supplements, G2 supplemented with As, G3 supplemented with IMI, G4 supplemented with As+IMI, G5 supplemented with As+LF, G6 supplemented with IMI+LF, G7 supplemented with As+IMI+LF. Body weight and weight gain were recorded on weekly interval. Blood, serum, liver, kidney, and muscle samples were collected at the end of the experimental period for biochemical and histopathological examination. Body weight performance, hematological, serum, and liver tissue biochemical analysis revealed adverse changes in G2, G3, and G4 compared to control, G5, G6, and G7. There was higher tissue residue of As and IMI in G4 compared to G5, G6, and G7. Liver histopathological changes in the groups supplemented with As and/or IMI were observed with necrosis, congestion, and inflammatory cell aggregates. The use of LF in broiler chicks improves weight gain performance and modulates the adverse effects of As and/or IMI toxicity.

Keywords

• lactoferrin effect
• arsenic toxicity
• imidacloprid toxicity
• histopathology
• broilers chicks