Effects of ochratoxin and T-2 toxin combination on performance, biochemical and immune status of commercial broilers

Abstract

Aim: To study the effects of Ochratoxin A(OA), T-2 toxin (T-2) and their combinations on the performance, biochemical andimmune status of broiler chickens.Materials and Methods: 168 day-old Cobb broiler chicks, obtained from a commercial hatchery were divided by CompleteRandomized Design into four groups of three replicates and fourteen chicks per replicate, with dietary treatments of 0.0(control), 1 ppm OA, 2 ppm T-2 and their combination (1 ppm OA + 2.0 ppm T-2). The chicks were housed in deep litterindependent conventional system with feed and water ad libitum throughout the experimental study. Body weight and feedintake were recorded weekly. At the end of the trial, blood was collected and was analyzed for total protein, serum albumin,uric acid and the activities of gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) and alanine amino transferase (ALT) and antibody titersagainst ND and IBD using ELISAtechnique.Results: The toxin treated birds exhibited a significant (P<0.05) decrease in the body weights and weight of lymphoid organs.Asignificant (P<0.05) reduction in serum total protein, albumin and increase in serum uric acid levels were observed in toxintreated birds. The serum alanine amino transferase (ALT) and gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) levels were decreased andantibody titers against Newcastle disease (ND) and Infectious Bursal Disease (IBD) were decreased significantly (P≤0.05).Conclusion: The presence of OA and T-2 in the diet showed depressing effects on performance, biochemical andimmunological parameters indicating their adverse effects on the general health of broilers.

Keywords

• biochemical parameters
• broilers
• immune status
• ochratoxin
• T-2 toxin