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PubMed1998

Broiler industry strategies for control of respiratory and enteric diseases.

The commercial broiler industry is a modern day agricultural success due to popular consumer demand, healthy flocks, and least cost production. Preventive medicine is the key for economical control of disease in integrated broiler companies, and includes quarantine-eradication, controlled-exposure, and preventive feed medication. Respiratory and enteric diseases present a continuing, potential threat for economic loss. Most exotic and egg-transmitted poultry diseases have been controlled by reduction or eradication policies. Endemic diseases are controlled by mass vaccination and preventive feed medication. Improvements in genetics, housing, equipment, and disease surveillance has allowed continued improvements in disease prevention. Attention to detail and management of risk is crucial to industry success. With fast industry growth and market maturity of the broiler industry, new challenges have risen. These challenges include increased poultry house density, increasing economic pressures, changing industry attitudes, and increased governmental regulations that will strain the continued success of today's control strategies.

Animal Husbandry↗

PubMed1998

Impedance recordings to determine change in extracellular volume in the brain following cardiac arrest in broiler chickens.

The present study describes a method to determine the onset and development of brain damage in broiler chickens. Exsanguination disrupts the brain metabolism and causes the brain to become ischemic. Energy-requiring systems in the cell membrane fail, which results in an ionic shift over the membrane, accompanied by a water influx into the cell. This cellular edema decreases the extracellular volume of brain tissue. In mammals, this brain damage has been measured by recording brain impedance. We adapted this approach for use with poultry. Five to six-week-old commercial broilers were equipped with impedance recording electrodes in the striatum area of the brain. Cardiac arrest was induced by means of an intravenous injection of MgCl2 and brain impedance was recorded for 30 min. The resulting curves showed a high similarity to those obtained in rats. No effects of 12 h antemortem feed deprivation on the size and rate of change in brain impedance could be found. Both in anesthetized and conscious birds, a change in brain impedance was found. We conclude that brain impedance can be used to determine the development of ischemic brain damage in broiler chickens.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Evidence of mitochondrial dysfunction in broilers with pulmonary hypertension syndrome (Ascites): effect of t-butyl hydroperoxide on hepatic mitochondrial function, glutathione, and related thiols.

The purpose of this study was to assess mitochondrial function and glutathione (a mitochondrial antioxidant) in response to oxidative stress in mitochondria in vitro obtained from broilers with and without pulmonary hypertension syndrome (PHS). Liver mitochondria from Control and PHS broilers were incubated with 0, 1, and 5-mM tertiary-butyl hydroperoxide (tBH). Indices of mitochondrial function [the respiratory control ratio (RCR) and the adenosine diphosphate to oxygen ratio (ADP:O)], and levels of mitochondrial and extra-mitochondrial reduced (GSH) and oxidized (GSSG) glutathione, cysteine, cystine, glutamate and cysteinyl-glycine were determined following tBH treatment. Lower RCR and ADP:O values were observed in PHS mitochondria than in controls. Whereas control mitochondria remained coupled (RCR > 2.0), only 3 PHS preparations remained coupled after 60 min of incubation with 5 mM tBH, indicating a greater susceptibility to oxidative stress in PHS mitochondria. The lower RCR in PHS mitochondria was due to increased oxygen consumption during State IV respiration. Oxidative stress following tBH treatment (decreased GSH and increased GSSG) was observed, but there were no differences in GSH or GSSG between control and PHS mitochondria. The PHS mitochondria did exhibit elevated mitochondrial and extramitochondrial cystine than controls, however. The results indicate that PHS mitochondria do not lack antioxidant protection from GSH, but lower RCR and ADP:O ratios in PHS mitochondria indicate a dysfunction that may contribute to the pathophysiology of this metabolic disease in broilers.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗

PubMed1999

Analysis of right ventricular areas to assess the severity of ascites syndrome in broiler chickens.

Ascites syndrome in broiler chickens is defined as a condition associated with pulmonary hypertension leading to right heart failure, increased central venous pressure, passive congestion of the liver, and accumulations of serous fluids in body cavities. The syndrome is currently seen in fast-growing broiler chickens associated with an increase in the weight, volume, and area of the right ventricle of the heart. The ratio of the right ventricle weight to the total heart mass has been used to assess the consequences of increased blood pressure. The right ventricle area (RVA) can be quantified using image analysis technology. Hearts were removed from 719 male broilers at slaughter (42 d). All birds were visually scored for the incidence of ascites. A score of 0 or 1 represented slight hydropericardium, slight right heart hypertrophy, and slight edema. A score of 4 was assigned to birds with marked accumulation of ascitic fluid in one or more ceolomic cavities, pronounced dilation of the right heart, and prominent liver lesions. A cross-sectional image of each heart slice (a 4-mm-thick slice of the ventricles) was digitally recorded. Using image analysis software, the RVA, left ventricular area (LVA), and total heart area (HA) were determined. Because a slice of the heart was used in image analysis, the importance of maintaining the original shape was determined. Twenty hearts in five ranges of RVA size were scanned in four different positions, which have differing heart slice orientations and differing RVA shapes, for a comparison of positioning technique (placement) relating to the RVA. The shape of the heart slice for image analysis was observed not to be critical for the small RVA. For heart slices with large RVA values, it was found to be critical to analyze the heart slice in a standardized placement.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

The effects of naked neck genotypes, ambient temperature, and feeding status and their interactions on body temperature and performance of broilers.

The effect of ambient temperature (AT) and feeding status on body temperature (BT) were investigated in broilers of the three naked neck genotypes (Na/Na, Na, na, and na/na). From 29 to 49 d of age, chicks were reared in a temperature-controlled chamber, where AT alternated daily between 24 and 32 C. At Day 47, all birds were deprived of feed for 12 h at 32 C, followed by 12 h of ad libitum intake at 24 C, then 12 h of ad libitum intake at 32 C, and finally feed deprivation for 12 h at 24 C. Body temperature was measured at the end of each of these 12-h periods. Body weight, feed consumption, feather coverage, and breast yield were determined. The Na/na and Na/Na birds had 20 and 40% less feather mass than the na/na birds. The three genotypes had similar BW at Day 49, but the naked neck birds had a higher breast yield. At high AT, BT was positively associated with feather mass of the three naked neck genotypes. The highest BT was exhibited by the fully feathered birds, and the lowest by the homozygous naked neck birds. The feeding status also affected BT of all birds, but to a larger extent in the normally feathered than in the naked neck birds. It appears that the lower negative effects of high AT on growth rate and meat yield in naked neck broilers can be attributed to their lower BT. Thus, it is suggested that measuring BT of broilers can be used as an indicator of the level of stress imposed on them by high AT.

Animal Feed↗

PubMed1999

Toxicological evaluations of cyclopiazonic acid and ochratoxin A in broilers.

The individual and combined effects of ochratoxin A (OA) and cyclopiazonic acid (CPA) were evaluated in Petersen x Hubbard broiler chickens from 1 d to 3 wk of age. The experimental design was a 2 x 2 factorial with treatments of 0 and 2.5 mg OA/kg feed and 0 and 34 mg CPA/kg feed. Production performance, serum biochemistry, and gross pathological observations were evaluated. Body weight gain was reduced (P < 0.05) by OA, CPA, and OA-CPA in combination at the end of 3 wk. Ochratoxin A significantly increased the relative weight of the kidney and serum concentrations of uric acid and triglycerides and decreased total protein, albumin, and cholesterol. The toxicity of CPA was expressed primarily through increased relative weights of the proventriculus and increased activity of creatine kinase. Exposure to OA-CPA was characterized by increased relative weights of the liver, kidney, pancreas, and proventriculus; decreased concentrations of serum albumin, total protein, and cholesterol; increased activity of creatine kinase; and increased concentrations of triglycerides and uric acid. Postmortem examination revealed that the chickens fed CPA or OA-CPA had thickened mucosa and dilated proventricular lumen. Data from this study demonstrate that OA, CPA, and the OA-CPA combination can limit broiler performance and adversely affect broiler health. The interaction of the compounds was primarily additive or less than additive in the parameter in which the interaction occurred.

Animal Feed↗

PubMed1999

The effect of flavophospholipol (Flavomycin) and salinomycin sodium (Sacox) on the excretion of Clostridium perfringens, Salmonella enteritidis, and Campylobacter jejuni in broilers after experimental infection.

Intestinal colonization and shedding of pathogenic bacteria in animal feces is an important factor in both human food safety and animal health. The effect of broiler feed additives flavophospholipol (FPL; Flavomycin, bambermycins) and salinomycin sodium (SAL; Sacox) given singly on the excretion of Salmonella enteritidis, Campylobacter jejuni, and Clostridium perfringens was studied following controlled infection. The incidence of shedding (number of birds with positive fecal cultures) and the degree of shedding (cfu per gram of feces in positive birds) were measured to determine the influence of these two common feed additive antibiotics on shedding rates of potential pathogens. A total of 216 Ross broiler chickens, housed in battery cages, were fed either an unmedicated feed (controls), feed containing FPL, or feed containing SAL. Feed treatment groups were subdivided into three bacterial challenge groups of 24 chicks, each receiving only one of the pathogens. Bacterial challenge was administered orally on Days 11 and 12 for Salmonella and Campylobacter and on Days 2 and 3 for Clostridium. Fecal samples were collected weekly up to 6 wk of age and cultured for presence of the target organism. The shedding rate was determined by decimal dilutions of the fecal samples. Feeding FPL resulted in a reduced (P < or = 0.05) degree and incidence of Salmonella and Clostridium shedding at 6 wk. Feeding SAL reduced (P < or = 0.05) the incidence of Salmonella shedding at 6 wk. Neither feed additive affected the incidence nor the degree of Campylobacter shedding. The results of this study indicate that these feed additives may reduce the incidence of these potential human and animal pathogens in preslaughter broilers.

Animal Feed↗

PubMed1999

Effects of the tricothecene mycotoxin diacetoxyscirpenol on fertility and hatchability of broiler breeders.

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effects of 4,15-diacetoxyscirpenol (DAS) on fertility and hatchability of broiler breeders. In Experiment 1, naturally mated broiler breeders were studied. A limited daily allocation of feed containing 0 (basal), 1.25, 2.5, or 5.0 mg DAS/kg diet was provided from 67 to 69 wk of age in slat-litter floor pens. Fertility was consistently improved by the 5.0 mg/kg level of DAS and intermittently by the 1.25 and 2.50 mg/kg levels. The effect disappeared upon removal of DAS. In Experiment 2, individually caged broiler breeder males and females were fed a basal diet containing 0, 5, 10, or 20 mg DAS/kg diet from 25 to 27 wk of age. Semen was pooled from males within each treatment and used to inseminate females from each treatment in a 4 x 4 factorial design. Female-related fertility was increased at the 5 and 10 mg DAS/kg levels and male-related fertility was decreased by the 10 and 20 mg DAS/kg levels. Small, fluid-filled cysts were observed on the testes of many DAS-treated males upon necropsy. In summary, low levels of DAS (< or =10 mg DAS/kg) appeared to improve female-related fertility, presumably because of enhanced spermatozoal storage within the oviduct. Conversely, DAS (> or =10 mg DAS/kg) decreased male-related fertility, presumably by direct toxic effects on the testes. Overall, it appeared that levels of DAS below 5 mg DAS/kg feed would not be detrimental to fertility and hatchability.

Animal Feed↗

PubMed1999

Body weight and semen production of broiler breeder males as influenced by crude protein levels and feeding regimens during rearing.

An appropriate dietary CP level and feeding regimen during rearing is considered important for controlling BW and improving semen production in broiler breeder males. A total of 640 day-old broiler breeder male chicks of two commercial strains (A and B) received treatments of a factorial arrangement of two CP levels (12 and 16%) of corn-soybean grower diets and two feeding regimens [changing feed to a grower diet from the standard broiler starter at 0.45 and 0.68 kg BW and then skip-a-day feeding]. Four- to 28-wk BW differed between CP levels during rearing, with heavier BW on the 16% CP diet than on the 12% CP diet in spite of isocaloric feed intake. Strains did not show a significant difference in BW prior to 40 wk of age. Feed restriction initiated at 0.45 or 0.68 kg BW had no effect in controlling BW after 4 wk of age. Uniformity of BW did not differ between CP levels. Semen volume was greater on the 12% than on the 16% CP diet from 28 to 36 wk of age. Semen concentration was not affected by CP levels, feeding regimens, or strains. Spermatozoa per ejaculate from 28 to 52 wk of age was correlated negatively with 8- to 20-wk BW. This negative relationship was attenuated with age, until at Week 46 or later spermatozoa per ejaculate was associated positively with BW after sexual maturity. No difference in percentage of males in semen production was noted between strains, CP levels, or feeding regimens. In brief, diet changes at 0.45 or 0.68 kg BW were not important in improving semen production, whereas the low CP diet (12%) had advantages in semen production over the high CP diet (16%). A negative relationship existed between semen production and BW during rearing; however, continued BW gain after sexual maturity was necessary to optimize semen production, especially during the late breeding period.

Animal Feed↗

PubMed1999

Effect of lactose administration in drinking water prior to and during feed withdrawal on Salmonella recovery from broiler crops and ceca.

Salmonella contamination of the chicken crop has been reported to increase markedly and significantly during feed withdrawal, probably due to coprophagy, and may contribute to carcass contamination at processing. The effect of prolonged lactose administration (2.5%) in the drinking water on the incidence of Salmonella recovery from broiler crops or ceca was evaluated in seven experiments. In these experiments, all or a percentage (providing seeders and contacts) of 7-wk-old broilers were challenged with approximately 1 x 108 cfu Salmonella enteritidis and provided lactose for 5 or 11 d prior to and during an 18 or 24 h feed withdrawal period. A small but significant lactose-mediated reduction in Salmonella contamination of crops was observed in one of two identical experiments with 18 h feed withdrawal. Extending the feed withdrawal period to 24 h did not improve the ability of lactose to affect Salmonella recovery from crops or ceca. Similarly, lactose did not affect Salmonella recovery when the percentage of birds challenged was reduced to 3 out of 16 and Salmonella recovery from crops or ceca of unchallenged, contact broilers was measured. Extending the duration of exposure to 2.5% lactose in the drinking water from 5 to 11 d did not improve the ability of lactose to affect Salmonella recovery. Taken together, these data suggest that provision of 2.5% lactose in the drinking water during the last 5 to 11 d of growout prior to slaughter will not be useful in an integrated Salmonella control program under commercial conditions.

Animal Husbandry↗

PubMed1999

Discounted expressions of traits in broiler breeding programs.

The commercially grown broiler usually is a crossbred from specialized purebred sire and dam lines. The position of a purebred line in the crossbreeding system influences its genetic contribution to expression of productive and reproductive performance at different stages of the production column and, thus, influences the breeding goal for a given line. In broiler breeding, cumulative discounted expressions (CDE) should be considered to define breeding goals for multi-trait selection. In the present study, a systematic design for the application of discounted gene flow methodology to derive CDE for production and reproduction traits in broiler breeding was developed. Factors considered as influencing the magnitude of CDE were: crossbreeding system (two-way, three-way, and four-way cross), selection scheme (with and without progeny testing and intensity of selection), selection path, trait (production at commercial stage and reproduction at either nucleus or multiplier stage), interest rate, and time horizon for evaluation. Performance data from a commercial breeding stock were applied in the analysis. Results indicated that levels of CDE were significantly affected by all factors studied. The more that pure lines were included in the crossbreeding system, the lower the CDE for a particular selection path. However, the summation of all selection paths did not differ much among crossbreeding systems. Progeny testing decreased CDE by increasing generation intervals. The CDE for reproduction traits were higher than those for production traits mainly as a result of earlier expression of the reproduction traits.

Animal Husbandry↗

PubMed1999

Metabolic disturbances in male broilers of different strains. 2. Relationship between the thyroid and somatotropic axes with growth rate and mortality.

Seven male broiler strains (Arbor Acres, Avian Farms, Cobb-500, Hubbard-Peterson, ISA, Naked Neck, and Ross) were compared for their growth rate, feed efficiency, and mortality due to sudden death and ascites. In addition, weekly plasma levels of thyroid hormones [3,3',5-triiodothyronine (T3) thyroxine (T4), T3: T4 ratio, growth hormone (GH), and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I)] were determined. The highly productive, commercial strains were very similar in their endocrine profiles but differed markedly from the Naked Neck chickens. Naked Neck chickens were characterized by higher plasma T3 and lower T4 levels at similar ages as well as when compared on the same body weight basis. The present findings support the hypothesis that the slightly hypothyroid state of high productive broilers renders them more sensitive to metabolic disorders. Naked Neck chickens also had higher plasma GH levels than those of their age-matched commercial broilers. The coefficient of variation for GH was highest for Naked Neck chickens, which is indicative for an amplified GH burst amplitude. It may be stated that changes in plasma thyroid hormone concentration in indirect response to selection for low feed conversion and fast growth may be causatively linked to susceptibility for metabolic disturbances such as sudden death syndrome and ascites.

Aging↗

PubMed1999

Thromboxane mimics the pulmonary but not systemic vascular responses to bolus HCl injections in broiler chickens.

Bolus i.v. injections of 1.2 N HCl elicit a rapid but transient pulmonary vasoconstriction in broiler chickens. In mammals, the pulmonary vasoconstrictive response to bolus acid injection depends on increased synthesis of thromboxane A2; however, the vascular responsiveness of domestic fowl to thromboxane previously had not been evaluated. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that, if HCl triggers pulmonary vasoconstriction by stimulating thromboxane A2 synthesis in broilers, then bolus i.v. injections of the potent thromboxane A2 mimetic U44069 (9,11-dideoxy-9alpha,11alpha-epoxy-methanoprostaglandin++ + F2alpha; 1 micromol/mL; 0.5 mL injected volume) should trigger hemodynamic responses similar to those elicited by HCl (1.2 N; 1.5 mL injected volume). Both HCl and the thromboxane mimetic elicited twofold or greater increases in pulmonary vascular resistance, which in turn increased pulmonary arterial pressure by 50% despite concurrent reductions in cardiac output. The reductions in cardiac output were associated with reductions in stroke volume but not heart rate. The thromboxane mimetic also increased the total peripheral resistance, which minimized the reduction in mean systemic arterial pressure associated with the decrease in cardiac output. In contrast, HCl injections did not increase total peripheral resistance; consequently, the reduction in cardiac output caused the mean systemic arterial pressure to decrease by 30 mm Hg. Mannitol (2.5%; 1.5 mL) was injected i.v. as a volume control, and had no influence on any of the variables. This study provides the first direct evidence that thromboxane is a potent pulmonary vasoconstrictor in broilers, and provides support for the hypothesis that thromboxane mediates the pulmonary vasoconstrictive response to bolus i.v. injections of HCl. The differential response of the systemic vasculature to the thromboxane mimetic and HCl may indicate that cardiopulmonary responses to HCl injections are not mediated solely via thromboxane production. Alternatively, a direct dilatory effect of elevated hydrogen ion concentrations on the systemic vasculature may have counteracted any tendency for simultaneously evolved endogenous thromboxane to elicit systemic vasoconstriction.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Evaluation of the parameters needed to describe the overall growth, the chemical growth, and the growth of feathers and breast muscles of broilers.

An experiment was carried out to collect data suitable for testing methods used to describe the potential growth and body composition curves of broilers. Males and females of two commercial broiler strain-crosses were grown to 16 wk of age with birds taken at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, and 16 wk of age for chemical analysis and for the measurement of feather weight and breast meat (Pectoralis major and Pectoralis minor) weight at these ages. The data were used to test the Gompertz growth equation and the assumption of chemical allometry, as well as to estimate the values of the growth parameters for the different genotypes. Feeding and environmental conditions were intended to be such that potential growth and body composition could be attained. The weights of the chemical components for each of the four genotypes were described in terms of the mature weight of these components, their rates of maturing, and the time taken to reach the maximum rate of growth of each component. Allometric relationships between the weights of the chemical components and that of body protein were estimated. The ratio of ash to protein was essentially constant. Water matured more slowly, and lipid faster, than protein. For males, and for females up to 8 wk, the models were satisfactory. For females after this age, lipid growth was faster than expected from the earlier period, probably in preparation for egg production. There were small, but important, differences in the values of some parameters between the strain-crosses. For each of the four genotypes the changes in weight of feathers and breast meat with time were described in terms of the Gompertz growth function, which described the data very well. The parameters of the function for each component and genotype-mature weight, rate of maturing, and the time taken to reach the maximum rate of growth B were evaluated. For the feathers, the value of the rate parameter was higher than that estimated for the body as a whole. For the two breast muscles, and for their total weight, the value of the rate parameter was similar to that for the body as a whole. There was a simple allometric relationship between the weights of the breast muscles and that of the whole body. As a consequence, the development of the yield of breast meat for a given genotype could be described by the values of the two parameters: mature yield and the allometric exponent. A description of each genotype of interest is seen as an essential first step in using a simulation model either to predict requirements, or to predict the effects of different feeding programs, and environmental conditions, on the performance of broilers.

Animal Husbandry↗

PubMed1999

Risk factors associated with Salmonella enterica serovar typhimurium infection in Danish broiler flocks.

A retrospective longitudinal study was conducted to identify risk factors associated with Salmonella enterica serovar typhimurium (S. typhimurium) infection in Danish broiler flocks. The data included all broiler flocks slaughtered in 1995, and the epidemiological unit was the individual broiler flock. The S. typhimurium status was determined by microbiological examination of 60 fresh fecal samples. This procedure should detect an infected flock with a probability above 95%, if the prevalence is above 5%, and given that the sensitivity of the test is 100%. Nineteen variables were selected for analysis. Five factors and an interaction term were found significant by multivariate logistic regression analysis. An increased risk for S. typhimurium infection was associated with two parent flocks, one confirmed infected and one suspected of being infected with S. typhimurium, with two of the hatcheries, and with five houses on the farm. An interaction between season and the previously mentioned hatcheries, and a random effect at farm level was also found to be statistically significant. Twelve variables were not found to be associated with S. typhimurium infection: medication, growth promoters, breed of the laying flock, animal density, size of the flock, area of the house, age of the house, geographical location of the farm, observation of beetles, number of days between disinfection and replacement, visual appearance of the bedding, and age of the chickens when they were tested for Salmonella. Three variables (feed mill, slaughterhouse, and Salmonella status of the preceding flock) were not evaluated in the multivariate analysis due to collinearity with other included variables.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

A comparison of texture and quality of breast fillets from broilers stunned by electricity and carbon dioxide on a shackle line or killed with carbon dioxide.

To compare the broiler breast muscle quality resulting from three different slaughter methods, 36 broilers in each of two replicates were randomly divided into three groups receiving CO2 stunning, electrical stunning (ES), or CO2 killing. Carbon dioxide stunning was accomplished in a tunnel with a gradient from 40 to 60% CO2 by allowing the broilers on shackles to pass through the tunnel for 25 s. Electrical stunning was done by passing the bird's head through a charged 1% brine solution (35 mA, 7 s). For CO2 killing, the birds were killed by asphyxiation in an atmosphere of less than 2% oxygen (air displaced by CO2) for 2.5 min. Following slaughter, all breast fillets were harvested at 1.25 h postmortem and analyzed for pH, R value, shear value (SV), expressible moisture, and color (lightness and redness at 1.25 and 24 h postmortem). There were no differences (P<0.05) between treatments in pH, R value, SV, 1.25-h color values, or expressible moisture. There was an increase (P<0.05) in lightness between 1.25 and 24 h postmortem in all treatments, with the CO2 stun exhibiting the greatest increase and resulting in a significantly greater L* value at 24 h postmortem than the CO2 killing treatment. These results suggest that the postmortem metabolism or characteristics of the meat from animals processed with these stunning or killing methods does not differ to a large extent.

Abattoirs↗

PubMed2000

Efficacy of synthetic zeolite to reduce the toxicity of aflatoxin in broiler chicks.

Synthetic zeolites (NaX, NaY, NaA, and CaA) were evaluated in vitro for their ability to sorb aflatoxin (AF) B1 from an aqueous solution. Zeolite NaA (ZN) was selected to be tested in vivo because of its high affinity and its stable association with AFB1. This sorbent was incorporated into diets (1%) containing 2.5 mg/kg AFB1. Male broiler chicks from 21 to 42 d of age received ad libitum access to their respective diets and water. When compared with controls, BW gains were lower (P < 0.05) for broilers that were fed AF in their diets. No differences were found between the BW gains of chicks fed diets without AF and those of chicks fed AF + ZN, indicating almost total protection against the effects caused by AF. Liver weights were considerably higher in chicks fed a diet containing AF, compared with those of controls, nevertheless, no significant differences were found in feed:gain ratio among the groups. The findings of this research suggest that ZN can counteract some of the toxic effects of AF in growing broiler chicks.

Adsorption↗

PubMed2000

The toxicity of purified fumonisin B1 in broiler chicks.

An investigation of the toxicity of fumonisin B1 (FB1), a toxic metabolite of Fusarium moniliforme, in broiler chicks was conducted. Purified FB1 (98.1% pure) was incorporated into the diets of broiler chicks at 0, 20, 40, and 80 mg/kg, and fed to chicks from 0 to 21 d of age. Dietary FB1, at concentrations of 80 mg/kg or less, did not adversely affect body weight, feed efficiency, or water consumption of broiler chicks. The relative weights of the liver, spleen, kidney, proventriculus, and bursa of Fabricius were also unaffected (P < 0.05) by any dietary concentration of FB1 compared with the control (0 mg/kg) group. Total liver lipids of chicks fed 40 or 80 mg FB1/kg were significantly lower than those of the chicks fed either 0 or 20 mg FB1/kg of feed. Liver sphinganine concentration and the sphinganine:sphingosine ratio were increased significantly in all treated groups. Chicks fed dietary FB1 at 80 mg/kg had significantly higher serum glutamate oxaloacetate aminotransaminase:aspartate aminotransferase ratios and levels of free sphinganine in the serum. The results of this investigation agree with the results previously described, in which FB1 was supplied to diets from the use of F. moniliforme-contaminated grain; therefore, the use of such material as the source of the mycotoxin in animal feeding studies is appropriate.

Alanine Transaminase↗