Feeding of Clay Materials as Mycotoxin Binder to Aflatoxin Fed Broiler Chicks

Aflatoxin (AF) (0.5ppm) and Clay Material as Mycotoxin Binder (CMMB) (0.5, 0.75 and 1%) were tested In an in vivo study forming 8 dietary treatments each with three replicates on a total of 336 on broiler chicks up to five weeks. Results showed that chicks receiving AF contaminated feed had suppressed body weight which significantly improved with inclusion of CMMB. Supplementation of CMMB at 0.75 and 1% to the diets containing AF significantly (9.97 and 9.15% respectively) improved the feed consumption. Efficiency of feed utilization which has decreased significantly with addition of 0.5 pm AF, were improved with inclusion of CMMB. The relative weights of liver (19.56%) and kidney (18.38%) which increased significantly with addition of 0.5ppm AF were improved with dietary inclusion of 0.75 and 1% CMMB. Compared with control, relative weights of gizzard and pancreas were not affected either in AF fed or control groups. The relative thymus (38.99%) and bursal (31.36%) weights were significantly lower at 0.5ppm inclusion of AF. The thymus and bursal weights were not altered by supplementation of CMMB compared to control diets. Relative weigh of spleen was not affected either in AF fed or CMMB supplemented groups. The serum antibody titers against ND and IBD vaccination which were significantly depressed by AF, were restored with the inclusion of 1% CMMB. The serum concentration of total protein (38.37%) uric acid and albumin were not affected either in AF fed or CMMB supplemented groups. The activity of serum GGT significantly increased in AF fed group and the addition of CMMB did not show significant reduction in activity of serum GGT. Compared with control, activity of serum ALT was not affected either in AF, control or CMMB supplemented groups.