A feeding trail was conducted to evaluate the effects of diets contaminated with Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) on the performance, digestibility of nutrients and blood enzymes of broiler chickens. In a randomized complete-block design with 4 blocks and 4 treatments, 112 day-old male broiler chickens were divided into 16 groups of 7 chicks each. Treatments consisted of three levels of AFB1 in starter diet (0.4, 0.8 and 1.2 mg kg 1) along with a control group (no AFB1). Feed intake and daily weight gain were recorded weekly. On days 7, 14, 21 and 28, one bird from each replicate was weighed and humanly killed to collect blood samples and to weigh proventriculus, gizzard, duodenum, pancreas, heart, liver, spleen, bursa of fabricius and brain. From day 18, chromic oxide-marked feed was fed to the birds for 4 consecutive days. On day 21, feces collection was made every 6 h and a pooled sample was used for determination of nutrients digestibility. Feeding AFB1 significantly decreased feed intake and body weight gain and increased relative weight of liver (p< 0.05). Relative weight of brain decreased on day 7 and then showed a significant increase by day 28 (p< 0.05). AFB1 significantly (P< 0.05) increased serum concentration of Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and Alanin aminotransferase (ALT) and decreased serum concentration of Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH). Feeding AFB1 at 0.8 and 1.2 mg kg 1 diet, caused a significant reduction in AME content of the diet, organic matter, dry matter, calcium and phosphorus (p< 0.05). Digestibility of fat and protein were not significantly affected by feeding AFB1. A significant reduction in uric acid excretion was induced due to AFB1 inclusion into the diet (p< 0.05). This study demonstrated that feeding AFB1 at the used levels can impair digestibility of nutrients, especially calcium and phosphorus. Furthermore, alongside with other negative effects, AFB1 may have some adverse effects on the liver and brain of broilers. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Find similar articles in ASCI Database

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