INFLUENCED OF AFLATOXIN B1 ONGROWTH AND TRIIODTHYRONINE, THYROXINE AND THYROID-STIMULATING HORMONE IN MALARD DUCKS

I. Valchev, L. Lazarov, D. Kanakov, Ts. Hristov, R. Binev, Y. Nikolov

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of aflatoxin В1, independently or in combina-tion with Mycotox Ng, on productive traits, relative weights of visceral organs and blood levels of some hormones (T3, T4 and TSH) in mulard ducks. Experiments were conducted with 4 groups of 20 10-ay-old ducklings each. The duration of the experiment was 42 days. The groups were as followed: group I – control, fed a standard compound feed according to the species and the age; group II – experimental, whose feed was supplemented with 0.5 mg/kg AFB1, group III – experimental, supplemented with 0.8 mg/kg AFB1 and group IV – experimental, supplemented with 0.5 mg/kg AFB1 and 2 g/kg Mycotox NG. The weight, weight gain, feed consumption and feed conversion were determined on days 14, 28 and 42 of the experiment. Blood hormone concentrations were assayed on days 21 and 42 on samples obtained from v. metatarsalis medialis by electroluminescence immunoassay and Elecsys 2010 (Roche-Hitachi) analyser. Ducklings from experimental groups II and III exhibited lower live body weight, weight gain and feed consumption, increased feed conversion ratio and higher relative weights of the liver, kidneys, heart, pancreas, gizzard and proventriculus. At the same time, the relative weights of the thymus, Bursa of Fabricius and the spleen were statistically significantly lower. Lower blood values of triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) were observed in experimental groups II and III. The supple¬mentation of the feed of experimental group IB with Mycotox NG had a protecting effect against the deleterious influence of AFB1 on productive traits, visceral organs weights and blood triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) concentrations.

Keywords: Aflatoxin B1; feed conversion; feed intake; live weight; Mycotox NG; thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH); thyroxine (T4); triiodothyronine (T3); weight gain

Date published: 2017-04-18