IFLUENCED OF AFLATOXIN B1 ON LIVER AND PANCREATIC FUNCTION IN MULARD DUCKS WITH EXPERIMENTAL AFLATOXICOSIS B1

I. Valchev

Abstract: Ducklings are among the most sensitive avian species to the toxic effects of aflatoxin В1 (AFB1). In this experiment, the toxic effects of AFB1 on liver and pancreatic morphology, blood plasma aspartate amino-transferase (AST), alanine amino-transferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (AP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), γ-glutamyltransferase (γ-GT), total protein (TP), albumin, blood glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, alpha amylase, lipase and insulin were established in mulard ducks. The experiment was carried out with four groups of 20 10-day-old ducklings each. Each group included three subgroups with 10 birds. The groups were as followed: group І – control (which received standard feed according to the species and age), group ІІ – experimental, which received compound feed with 0.5 mg/kg AFB1, group ІІI– receiving compound feed supplemented with 0.8 mg/kg AFB1 and group IV – compound feed supplemented with 0.5 mg/kg AFB1 and 2g/kg Mycotox NG. The experiment lasted for 42 days. Blood biochemical data on the 21st day of the experiment showed increased activities of AST, ALT, AP, LDH, γ-GT and decrease activities of alpha amylase and lipase in groups receiving only AFB1. Total protein, albumin, cholesterol, triglycerides and blood glucose were lower than respective control values. The observed changes tended to become more pronounced by the 42nd day of the trial. Insulin concentrations in experimental groups of mulards were insignificantly higher during both sampling intervals compared to untreated birds (control group) (Р>0.05). Histopathologically, the liver exhibited a various extent of dystrophy was detected depending on the dose of ingested toxin (hepatocytes exhibited granular degradation and cytoplasm vacuolation, karyorrhexis, karyopyknosi, fatty dystrophy, erivascular mononuclear infiltrations, areactive necrotic, epithelium of biliary ductules was hyperplastic). Histopathologically, the pancreas exhibited intralobular swelling, disorganisation and disintegration of glandular acini, various extents of dystrophic changes, mononuclear infiltrates as well as necrobiotic changes depending on the dose of ingested toxin. The supplementation of feed of group IV with Mycotox NG improved deviations in blood biochemical parameters and substantially reduced the severity and prevalence of histological lesions.

Keywords: aflatoxicosis В1; duckling; liver and pancreatic damage; Mycotox NG; toxicity

Date published: 2017-03-15