Pathological Effects Induced by Concurrent Oral Administration of Aflatoxin B1 and Brackish Water to Broiler Chicken

Introduction Water constitute about 60-80% of body weight of a chicken. Underground water in many parts of the country is saline in nature (1). A poor quality of drinking water may result in wet droppings and decreased feed efficiency. Aflatoxins (AF) are the most common contaminants of animal feed and feedstuffs. There are reports describing the interaction of aflatoxins with other substances. Potentiation of toxic effects of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) have been reported by combined administration of different substances including bacterial lipopolysaccharides and copper (2). Underground water around in many countries of the world is brackish and the incidence of aflatoxins in the poultry feed is also high due to unsatisfactory storage of feed and feed ingredients. With these considerations the present project was designed to study the pathological effects produced by feeding of AF B1 and brackish water to one day old broiler chicks.