Summary
The
aim of this study was to evaluate the prophylactic efficacy of protexin
(probiotic), inulin (prebiotic) and both (synbiotics), when included
in a diet containing aflatoxins and fed to growing broiler chicks
(from 1 to 21 days old). The criteria of the evaluation included
body weight gain, haematological profile and biochemistry, in addition
to associated lesions in chicks. A total of 160 Hubbard male day-old
broiler chicks were separated into eight groups that all received
different diets (additional aflatoxins, protexin, inulin and symbiotic).
The birds were weighed and sacrificed at the age of 21 days. Compared
to the controls, aflatoxins alone significantly (p<0.05)
decreased body weight gain in one group. No difference in body weight
gain was found in three groups, indicating apparent protection against
the deleterious effects caused by aflatoxins. The weight gain of
chicks fed on the diet containing synbiotics alone or synbiotics
and aflatoxins was significantly (p<0.05) greater than that
of chicks on a diet containing the other treatments. The birds the
second group showed significant (p<0.05) reduction in the
haematological parameters in comparison with the controls. The biochemical
analysis showed a considerable (p<0.05) increase in the serum
alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST),
gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), uric
acid and creatinine levels, with a reduction in the serum total
proteins, albumin and globulins. The addition of protexin, inulin,
or both, diminished the adverse effects of aflatoxins. Finally,
it was concluded that the protexin, inulin and synergism of both
are effective in the amelioration of the toxic effects of aflatoxins
that may be present in poultry rations at levels up to 4 mg/kg diet.
Synbiotics (protexin and inulin) are more effective than the protexin
and the inulin alone which are variable in the alleviation of toxic
effects caused by aflatoxins.
Keywords
Aflatoxin,
Chick, Egypt, Enzyme, Protexin, Inulin, Symbiotic, Probiotic. |