EFFECT OF OYSTER MUSHROOM (Pleurotus sajor caju) IN AFLATOXIN FED BROILERS
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Date
2008
Authors
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Publisher
TANUVAS, Chennai
Abstract
Aflatoxicosis in commercial chicken enterprise is a problem of serious
concern due to its impact on production performance. There is no satisfactory
drug formulation available to counteract this menace. A commercially available
edible mushroom, belonging to Pleurotus species was proved to have
antioxidant, hepatoprotective and immune stimulating effects.
Hence, this study was envisaged to test the oyster mushroom, Pleurotus
sajor caju, for its effectiveness in reversing aflatoxin induced pathology with
particular reference to hepatotoxicity and immunosuppression in broiler chicken.
In the present study commercially available sixty straight run broiler chicks
of vencob strain were reared from day one with ad libitum feed and water. The
birds were allotted to six groups of ten each at the end of first week and they
were subjected to respective treatments.
Group I was fed with normal feed (control). Aflatoxin (1ppm) mixed feed
was given to group II (Aflatoxin control). Group III was fed with 5% mushroom
mixed feed (Treatment control). Aflatoxin 1ppm along with 1%, 2.5% and 5%
mushroom was mixed with feed and fed to groups IV, V and VI respectively. All
the six groups were vaccinated against Newcastle viral disease on day 7 and day
21, using Newcastle disease vaccine (Lasota strain) as intra ocular drops.
Body weight and feed intake were recorded weekly. Feed conversion ratio
was calculated at the end of the trial. On forty second day the birds were
slaughtered and gross pathology of organs was observed. Blood and liver
samples were collected for immunological, biochemical and histopathological
analysis.
The body weight of control and aflatoxin control group was comparable. In
mushroom control group decrease in body weight was recorded, compared to
control. Mushroom treatment resulted in dose dependant decrease in body
weight, with group VI showing a significant decrease.
Feed consumption decreased only numerically in aflatoxin fed group and
mushroom control group compared to control. In mushroom treatment groups
there was a dose dependant decrease in feed consumption.
Feed conversion efficiency was not affected in aflatoxin alone fed group
compared to control. Poor FCR was noticed in mushroom control group
compared to control. Mushroom treatment resulted in dose dependant increase
in FCR.
Aflatoxin administration to group II resulted in significant decrease in
serum total protein, albumin and globulin and significant increase in ALT and
AST levels compared to control. Serum proteins were increased and liver
enzymes (ALT and AST) were decreased dose dependently in mushroom
treatment groups. All these parameters were comparable with the control in
mushroom control group.
Aflatoxin control group showed significant increase in lipid peroxidation
and decrease in glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase levels
compared to control group. These parameters were not affected significantly in
mushroom control group compared to feed control. In mushroom treatment
groups there was a dose dependant decrease in lipid peroxidation and increase
in glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase levels.
Aflatoxin control group showed a significant reduction in
haemagglutination inhibition titre against Newcastle disease virus compared to
that of control. In mushroom treatment group there was a significant increase in
haemagglutination inhibition (HI) titre value dose dependently. The HI titre value
in the mushroom control group was comparable with the control group.
Grossly the liver of aflatoxin alone fed group was pale, yellow, soft and
friable. Liver of 1% mushroom treatment showed moderate enlargement and
congestion. The liver of mushroom control group, 2.5% and 5% mushroom
treatment groups were comparable with that of control.
Histopathology of the liver of aflatoxin alone fed birds revealed macro and
microvesicular changes, pseudoacini formation, bile duct hyperplasia, disruption
of cords and infiltration of mononuclear cells. 1% mushroom treatment showed
all the changes as seen in aflatoxin control group, but with a lesser intensity.
2.5% mushroom treatment revealed microvesicular changes, disruption of cords
and infiltration of inflammatory cells. 5% mushroom treatment revealed only
microvesicular changes. The histology of the liver of mushroom control group
was comparable with that of control group.
The mushroom treatment protected the liver and stimulated the immune
system in a dose dependant manner as evidenced by the biochemical,
immunological and pathomorphological studies.
Description
TNV_THE_Y2008_MVN06030
Keywords
Veterinary Science, Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology