Effect of clinoptilolite on performance of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) during experimental aflatoxicosis

Clinoptilolite (CLI, a natural zeolite), incorporated into the diet at 50 g/kg, was evaluated for its ability to reduce the deleterious effects of 2.0 mg total aflatoxin (AF;83.06% AFB1, 12.98% AFB2, 2.84% AFG1 and 1.12% AFG2)/kg diet on growing Japanese quail chicks from 10 to 45 d of age. A total of 40 Japanese quail chicks were divided into 4 treatment groups (control, AF, CLI, AF plus CLI) each consisting of 10 chicks. The performance of the birds was evaluated. The AF treatment significantly decreased food consumption and body weight gain from the 3rd week onwards. The adverse effect of AF on food conversion ratio was also significant from week 4 of the experiment. The addition of CLI to an AF-containing diet significantly reduced the deleterious effects of AF on food consumption, body weight gain and food conversion ratio. Food consumption was reduced by 14% in quail chicks consuming the AF diet without CLI, but by only 6% for quail chicks consuming the AF plus CLI diet. Similarly, overall body weight gain was reduced by 27% in birds consuming the AF diet without CLI, but by only 8% for birds consuming the AF plus CLI diet. The addition of CLI to the AF-free diet significantly decreased food consumption and body weight gain during week 4, but these parameters were similar to the controls in week 5. No mortality was observed in any of the groups. These results suggest that CLI effectively diminished the detrimental effects of AF on the variables investigated in this study.     

Efficacy of polyvinylpolypyrrolidone in reducing the immunotoxicity of aflatoxin in growing broilers

1. Protective action of an enzyme-linked polyvinylpolypyrrolidone (PVPP, Mycofix Plus) against the immunosuppressive effect of afatoxins (AF) was evaluated by determination of peripheral blood T-lymphocyte proportions and splenic plasma cell counts. Histological changes in lymphoid organs were also investigated by light microscopy. One-d-old broiler chicks (Hybro) received 2.5 mg/kg diet AF (83.06% AFB1, 12.98% AFB2, 2.84% AFG1, 1.12% AFG2) with or without PVPP (3g/kg diet) until 21 d of age. When compared with controls, AF treatment significantly decreased peripheral T-lymphocyte counts. AF caused a slight decrease in splenic plasma cell counts. The addition of PVPP to an AF-containing diet significantly increased T-lymphocyte counts. Splenic plasma cell counts were numerically intermediate between control and AF groups. 3. The dietary addition of PVPP to AF-free diet did not significantly alter either T-lymphocyte or splenic plasma cell counts.     

Biological suppression of aflatoxicosis in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) by dietary addition of yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae).

The amelioration of aflatoxicosis in Japanese quails was examined by the dietary addition of live yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae; SCE). Yeast incorporated into the diet at 1 g kg(-1) was evaluated for its ability to reduce the deleterious effects of 2.5 mg total aflatoxin (AF; 82.30 per cent AFB1, 2.06 per cent AFB2, 7.68 per cent AFG1 and 7.96 per cent AFG2) kg(-1)diet on growing Japanese quail chicks from 10 days to 45 days of age. Forty 10-day-old Japanese quail chicks were assigned to 2x2 factorial arrangement of treatments (control, AF, SCE, AF plus SCE) each consisting of 10 quails. The performances of birds were evaluated. The AF treatment significantly and dramatically decreased food consumption and body-weight gain from the first week onwards. The significant adverse effect of AF on the food conversion ratio was also determined from week 1 to the end of the experiments. The addition of SCE to the AF -containing diet significantly reduced these deleterious effects of AF on food consumption, body-weight gain and food conversion ratio. Compared to controls, the cumulative body weight gain was reduced by 37 per cent among the quails consuming AF without SCE, but increased 15 per cent for the birds fed AF plus SCE. Interestingly, the single inclusion of SCE to the AF-free diet provided significant improvements in all the investigated growth performances of birds (approximately 40 per cent) compared to controls.     

Evaluation of pathological changes in broilers during chronic aflatoxin (50 and 100 ppb) and clinoptilolite exposure

This study was conducted to evaluate the pathological changes in broilers fed a diet containing low-levels of aflatoxin (AF) and clinoptilolite (CLI) until 42 days of age. A total of 576 one-day-old Ross-308 type broiler chicks were treated with varying levels of AF and CLI (15 g kg(-1)). The gross and histopathological changes in the liver, kidneys, spleen, thymus and bursa of Fabricius were investigated and relative organ weights were calculated. Compared to controls, significant changes (P<0.05), such as slight to moderate hydropic degeneration and/or fatty change (8 cases of 10), bile-duct hyperplasia (7 of 10) and periportal fibrosis (5 of 10), were found in chicks fed 100 ppb AF-containing diet. No gross-pathological changes were observed in any treatments. The addition of CLI to the 100 ppb AF-containing diet significantly decreased the number of affected broilers and/or the severity of lesions (hydropic degeneration and bile-duct hyperplasia) in the livers (P<0.05). The addition of CLI to the AF-free diet did not produce any significant lesions compared with the controls.     

Effects of polyvinylpolypyrrolidone,synthetic zeolite and bentonite on serum biochemical and haematological characters of broiler chickens during aflatoxicosis

1. Polyvinylpolypyrrolidone (PVPP), synthetic zeolite (SZ) and bentonite (BNT), when incorporated into the diets at 3, 5 and 5 g/kg respectively, were evaluated for their ability to reduce the deleterious effects of 2.5 mg aflatoxin (AF; 83.06% AFB1, 12.98% AFB2, 2.84% AFG1, and 1.12% AFG2,)/kg diet on growing broiler chickens from 1 day to 3 weeks of age. A total of 210 chicks were divided into 10 treatment groups (control, AF, PVPP, AF plus PVPP, PVPP plus SZ, AF plus PVPP plus SZ, PVPP plus BNT, AF plus PVPP plus BNT, AF plus SZ and AF plus BNT) each consisting of 21 chicks. 2. When compared to control, the AF treatment significantly decreased serum total protein, albumin, inorganic phosphorus, uric acid and total cholesterol, and the values of haematocrit, haemoglobin, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, thrombocyte counts, percentage of lymphocyte and monocyte counts; increased values of white blood cell and heterophil counts. 3. Decreased serum albumin caused by AF was significantly ameliorated by PVPP plus BNT. A similar increase was obtained in serum total cholesterol by adding BNT to the AF-containing diet. 4. The serum uric acid, white blood cell counts and percentage of lymphocyte and monocyte counts were numerically intermediate between control and AF values in all of the adsorbent treatments containing AF. The change in thrombocyte counts was alleviated by all of the adsorbent treatments containing AF, except AF plus SZ. The addition of the adsorbents in the AF-free diets did not significantly alter the serum biochemical and haematological parameters compared to controls.     

Evaluation of biochemical characters of broiler chickens during dietary aflatoxin (50 and 100 ppb) and clinoptilolite exposure

Aflatoxin (AF) and clinoptilolite (CLI, a natural zeolite) were added to broiler food and some biochemical values and enzyme activities were evaluated. The experimental design consisted of six dietary treatments. (1) CONTROL: basal diet; (2) CLI: basal diet plus 15 g clinoptilolite kg(-1) diet; (3) 50 ppb AF: basal diet plus 50 microg total aflatoxin (AF; the composition given below) kg(-1) diet; (4) 50 ppb AF+CLI: basal diet plus 50 microg AF plus 15 g CLI kg(-1) diet; (5) 100 ppb AF: basal diet plus 100 microg AF kg(-1) diet; (6) 100 ppb AF+CLI: basal diet plus 100 microg AF plus 15 g CLI kg(-1) diet. A commercially available CLI was provided from the west region of Turkey and its chemical formula is "KNa(2)Ca(2)(Si(29)AL(7))O.7(2).32H(2)O". For this a total of 576 1-day-old Ross broiler chicks were housed in six treatment groups from days 1 to 42. AF treatment significantly increased the serum Na levels and the aspartate-amino-transferase (ASAT) and alanine-amino-transferase (ALAT) enzyme activities, while total protein, albumin, total cholesterol uric acid, and K levels were not significantly different between groups. These results suggest that these low AF levels in food did not change the serum biochemistry but significantly affected the enzyme activities in broilers.     

Preventive efficacy of clinoptilolite in broilers during chronic aflatoxin (50 and 100 ppb) exposure

This study was conducted to evaluate the protective efficacy of clinoptilolite (CLI, a natural zeolite) in the prevention of toxic effects of aflatoxin (AF). A total of 576 1-day-old Ross broiler chicks were housed in six treatment groups [six replicates of 16 each; control, CLI (15 g kg(-1)diet), 50 parts per billion (ppb) AF, 50 ppb AF plus CLI, 100 ppb AF, 100 ppb AF plus CLI ] for 42 days. Compared to controls, 100 ppb AF treatment significantly decreased body weight gains of chicks. The addition of CLI to the 100 ppb AF - containing diet moderately reduced the adverse effects of AF on performances of chicks. The chicks consuming 50 ppb AF -containing diet showed no significant differences on investigated parameters compared to controls. Also, the single addition of CLI to the AF -free diet had no adverse effects in birds. These results suggest that CLI can be beneficial in broilers for protection of AF toxicity at the level above.     

Ameliorative effects of dietary clinoptilolite on pathological changes in broiler chickens during aflatoxicosis

The amelioration of aflatoxicosis in broiler chickens was examined by feeding two concentrations of natural zeolite (clinoptilolite). Clinoptilolite (ClI), incorporated into the diet at 1.5 and 2.5 per cent, was evaluated for the ability to reduce the deleterious effects of 2.5 mg total aflatoxin (AF) kg(-1)diet on growing broiler chicks from 1 to 21 days of age. A total of 360 broiler chicks were divided into six treatment groups [Control, AF, CLI (1.5 per cent), AF plus CLI (1.5 per cent), CLI (2.5 per cent), and AF plus CLI (2.5 per cent)] each consisting of 60 chicks. Compared to controls, the AF consuming chicks showed increases in the relative weights of liver and kidney; and gross-histopathologic hepatic lesions such as paleness, friability, diffuse hydropic degeneration and/or fatty change, bile-duct hyperplasia and periportal fibrosis. Glumerular hypertrophy, increases in the number of mesengial cells and hydropic degeneration of tubuler epithelium in kidneys of chicks fed diet AF alone were also observed. Atrophy and lymphoid depletion were seen in the thymuses and bursa of Fabricius from the chicks fed AF alone. The additions of CLI (1.5 and 2.5 per cent) to the AF -containing diet moderately (significantly in some cases) decreased the number of affected broilers and/or the severity of lesions. The addition of CLI to the AF-free diet did not produce any significant changes compared with the controls. These results suggest that CLI was effective for the protection of AF-toxication in broilers and it could contribute to a solution of the AF problem in poultry production.     

Light and electron microscopic studies on liver histology in chicks fed aflatoxin

This study was carried out under both light and electron microscopy to investigate the effects on liver carbohydrate and lipid metabolism caused by aflatoxin (AF) fed to chicks. Twenty broiler chicks were used. The birds were housed in electrically heated battery cages and exposed to light for 24 h. Feed and water were provided ad libitum. The animals were allocated to two groups each made up of 10 broilers. Total aflatoxin levels of zero (0) and 5 mg of AF/kg feed (81.05% AFB1, 8.79% AFG1, 6.06% AFB2, and 4.10% AFG2) added to a commercial diet, were fed to chicks from hatching up to 3 weeks of age, when the experiment was terminated. The chicks were executed by cervical dislocation and liver samples were obtained for light and electron microscopy. Oil red 'O', Sudan Black B, periodic acid Schiff (PAS) and Best's carmine stains were used to reveal fat and glycogen in the liver. Histological changes in hepatocytes included increased lipid droplets, high glycogen content, and mild mononuclear cell infiltration in the portal areas. Ultrastructural findings were destruction of rough endoplasmic reticulum (rER), reduction in mitochondrial size, enlargement of bile canaliculi, and cisternal dilatation of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum (sER).     

Effect of clinoptilolite on serum biochemical and haematological characters of broiler chickens during aflatoxicosis

Clinoptilolite (CLI, a natural zeolite) incorporated into the diet at 1.5 and 2.5 per cent were evaluated for their ability to reduce the deleterious effects of 2.5 mg total aflatoxin (AF) kg(-1)diet on broiler chickens from 1 to 21 days of age. In total 360 broiler chicks were divided into six equal treatment groups (control, AF, CLI (1.5 per cent), AF plus CLI (1.5 per cent), CLI (2.5 per cent) and AF plus CLI (2.5 per cent)). When compared with the controls, AF treatment significantly decreased serum total protein, albumin, inorganic phosphorus, uric acid, total cholesterol and the values of haematocrit, red blood cell counts, mean corpuscular volume, haemoglobin, thrombocyte counts, percentage of monocyte counts; increased values of white blood cell and heterophil counts. The addition of CLI (1.5 per cent) and CLI (2.5 per cent) to the AF -containing diet reduced the adverse effects of AF and should be helpful in a solution to the aflatoxicosis problem in poultry.     

Ameliorative effects of sodium bentonite on phagocytosis and Newcastle disease antibody formation in broiler chickens during aflatoxicosis

The ameliorative effect of graded levels of dietary sodium bentonite (0.2, 0.4 and 0.6 per cent wt/wt of feed) on in vitro-impaired phagocytosis and suppressed immune response to Newcastle disease vaccine during aflatoxicosis (AF) in broiler chicks was investigated. Both percentage and mean of phagocytic activities were decreased significantly (P < 0.05) in chicks fed 2.5 mg aflatoxin per kg feed. The addition of sodium bentonite was significantly effective in ameliorating the negative effect of AF on the percentage and mean of phagocytosis. The presence of AF alone in the diet depressed the immune response of chicks as measured by haemagglutination inhibition (HI) test. Sodium bentonite was also effective in ameliorating the suppressive effect of AF on the HI -titre in chicks vaccinated against Newcastle disease. The best results obtained when sodium bentonite was added at the rate of 0.4 per cent wt/wt of feed to the AF-containing diets.     

Protein requirement of fast- and slow-growing chicks

1. Responses of male broiler chicks and male chicks of an egg-laying stock to dietary crude protein (CP) concentrations ranging from 167 to 251 g/kg (metabolisable energy content 13 MJ/kg) were compared from 0 to 21 d of age, using 20 groups of 9 or 10 chicks (5 diets x 2 stocks x 2 replicates). 2. Average growth rate in the broilers was three times that of the layer chicks. The broilers needed at least 251 g CP/kg to maximise their liveweight gain but the layer chicks needed only about 188 g CP/kg. 3. The broiler chicks ate less than twice as much food as the layers and their maximum gain/food ratio was 0.6 compared with 0.4 for the layer chicks. These maximum efficiencies of conversion of food to liveweight were achieved in both cases with a diet containing 230 g CP/kg. 4. The efficiency of protein utilisation (above maintenance) was the same in fast- and slow-growing genotypes (about 0.47 g protein gain/g protein consumed). 5. Carcase analysis at 3 weeks of age showed that the broilers had deposited more fat than the layers and that protein content of the diet had markedly influenced fat deposition in both stocks. Fat in the whole body increased from 29 to 87 g/kg in the layer chicks and from 81 to 123 g/kg in the broilers as dietary protein was reduced from 251 to 167 g/kg. 6. The optimum protein to energy ratio of a chick starter diet will depend on the growth potential of the stock, as well as the cost of ingredients and the value of fatter or leaner carcases.     

Dried papaya skin as a dietary ingredient for broiler chickens

The chemical composition of dried papaya (Carica papaya) skin (DPS) was determined and its potential as a dietary ingredient for broiler chickens was investigated at dietary concentrations of 0, 40, 80 and 120g/kg. DPS was found to give similar food consumption, food conversion efficiency, survivability and meat yields (except male liver weight) to a control diet when used up to 120 g/kg of diet. Weight gain tended to increase with dietary concentration of DPS up to 80 g/kg. It was concluded that DPS could safely be used up to 120 g/kg in the diet of broiler chickens.     

Dietary lysine concentrations from deficient to excessive and the effects on broiler chicks

1. An experiment was designed to test the response of broiler chicks (0–21 d) to dietary lysine concentration. Concentrations ranged from 9.9 to 14.4 g of lysine per kg diet when energy was 13.4 MJ ME/kg.

2. Estimates of the concentration of lysine needed for maximum body weights gain, food consumption and gain:food ratio were calculated using two statistical methods. An average of these estimates was 12.0 g lysine/kg diet to 21 d of age.

3. Chicks given 13.9 or 14.4 g lysine/kg diet were negatively affected by these concentrations. The decreases in average weight gain, food consumption and food efficiency were caused mainly by several chicks that developed severe leg problems and were much smaller than their pen mates. Chicks with no leg problems gained weight as rapidly as chicks receiving optimal amounts of lysine.     

Supplementation of diets containing pea meal with exogenous enzymes: effects on weight gain,feed conversion,nutrient digestibility and gross morphology of the gastrointestinal tract of growing broiler chicks

1. The potential for the nutritional improvement of pea-based diets by supplementation with a cocktail of exogenous carbohydrases was investigated using growing broiler chicks. 2. Pea meals (grown in the UK) were included in wheat-based diets at 300 g/kg as a partial replacement for an approximately isonitrogenous mixture of wheat and soybean meal. A wheat/soybean meal diet served as a control and each diet was supplemented with a cocktail of alpha-amylase, pectinase and cellulase. The diets were fed to 1-d-old broiler chicks for a period of 21 d. Weight gain and feed conversion were monitored weekly and excreta were collected during the final week in order to determine nutrient digestibility coefficients and metabolisable energy. On d 21, the gastrointestinal (GI) tract was excised and gross morphology measured. 3. Inclusion of pea meal reduced weight gain, feed conversion, nutrient digestibility and also increased the relative sizes of the distal sections of the GI tract. 4. Enzyme addition partially ameliorated the detrimental effects of pea meal inclusion although similar improvements were also noted for birds fed on the control diet. 5. It is concluded that the nutritive value of pea-meal-based diets can be improved by the addition of carbohydrases, and that some pea cultivars show considerable potential as vegetable protein sources for broiler chicks.     

葡甘露聚糖对饲喂黄曲霉毒素B1日粮肉仔鸡生长性能、血清指标及器官指数的影响

本文通过测定肉仔鸡生长性能、血清指标及器官指数,探讨葡甘露聚糖对黄曲霉毒素B1(AFB1)的吸附作用。选用180只体重接近的8日龄肉仔鸡随机分成3组,分别为基础日粮组、基础日粮 0.1mg/kgAFB1组、基础日粮 0.1mg/kgAFB1 0.1%葡甘露聚糖组,试验期21d。试验结果表明:(1)基础日粮中加入0.1mg/kgAFB1,肉仔鸡的体重、日增重、日采食量显著下降,料重比升高。血清中总蛋白、白蛋白含量显著下降,谷草转氨酶、谷丙转氨酶活性显著升高。肝脏、肾脏、心脏和脾脏肿胀,胸腺、法氏囊萎缩;(2)0.1mg/kgAFB1日粮中加入0.1%葡甘露聚糖,明显改善肉仔鸡的生长性能,以上相关指标基本恢复到正常水平。由此可知,葡甘露聚糖减轻或基本消除了AFB对肉仔鸡生长性能、组织器官的不良影响。     

Influence of Temperature on the Arginine and Methionine Requirements of Young Broiler Chicks

Two experiments were conducted with Ross × Ross broiler chicks in battery brooders from 7 to 21 d of age to determine the Arg and Met requirements of young broiler chicks at control (25°C) and warm (35°C) temperatures. In both experiments, 1-d-old broiler chicks were fed a corn and soybean meal based starter diet for 7 d. Six replications (2 replicates in each of 3 rooms per temperature) with 8 chicks each were used for each treatment. In experiment 1, the basal diet was based on corn (34.52%), whey (26.96%), corn gluten meal (16.53%), soybean meal (11.74%), and poultry fat (23% of CP and 3.20 kcal/g of ME_n). Six levels of Arg (0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, and 0.5%), supplementing the basal diet containing 0.95% Arg, were the dietary treatments. A broken-line linear model was used to estimate chick Arg requirements. Based on body gain and feed conversion ratio (FCR) data, respectively, the Arg requirements of young Ross × Ross broiler chicks raised at 35°C were 1.15 ± 0.03% and 1.13 ± 0.02%, whereas those of chicks at 25°C were 1.26 ± 0.03% and 1.27 ± 0.02%. In experiment 2, the influences of temperature and dietary Arg on the Met requirements of young broiler chicks were investigated. The basal diet was based on corn (53.45%), soybean meal (37.72%), and poultry fat (23% of CP and 3.20 kcal/g of ME). Experiment 2 had a 6 × 2 factorial arrangement, with the basal diet (0.35% Met and 1.52% Arg) supplemented with 6 levels of dietary Met (0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, or 0.3%) and 2 levels of dietary Arg (0 and 1.0%). When chicks were fed a corn-soybean meal basal diet containing 1.52% Arg, the Met requirements of young Ross × Ross broiler chicks raised at 35°C were 0.43 ± 0.02% and 0.43 ± 0.03%, whereas those of chicks at 25°C was 0.43 ± 0.01% and 0.48 ± 0.03%, based on body gain and FCR data, respectively. When Arg levels were increased to 2.52%, the Met requirement of young Ross × Ross broiler chicks was greater at both temperatures (P < 0.05). The requirements of chicks raised at 35°C were 0.50 ± 0.02% and 0.49 ± 0.02% and at 25°C were 0.59 ± 0.03% and 0.57 ± 0.02%, based on body gain and FCR data, respectively. Temperature and amino acid balance may both affect the amino acid requirements of broilers.     

Response of broiler chicks to threonine‐supplemented diets to 4 weeks of age

1. Two experiments were carried out to determine the response of broiler chicks to threonine‐supplemented diets between 10 and 28 d and 7 and 21 d of age, respectively.

2. In the first experiment female broiler chicks were fed on 11 experimental diets. Two iso‐energetic basal diets (diets 1 and 2) were prepared with 200 and 160 g CP/kg and 7·6 and 6·0 g threonine/kg respectively. Both diets contained 11·5 g lysine and 8·7 g sulphur‐containing amino acids/kg. Diet 3 was composed of diet 2, supplemented with all essential and non‐essential amino acids (EAA and NEAA, respectively) except threonine, to the concentrations of the amino acids in diet 1. The NEAA were added as a combination of glutamic acid and glycine. Diets 4 to 11 had the same compositions as diet 3, but contained increasing amounts of threonine.

3. For birds fed on diet 2, gain was significantly lower and food/gain ratio was significantly higher than for birds fed on diet 1. Supplementation with EAA, NEAA and threonine to the same concentrations in diet 1 resulted in a performance similar to that found on diet 1.

4. In experiment 2, male and female broiler chicks both received 10 experimental diets. Diet 1 contained 220 g CP/kg and 8.5 g threonine/kg, diet 2 contained 160 g CP/kg from natural raw materials and 6 g threonine/kg. Both diets contained 12·4 g lysine and 9·3 g sulphur‐containing amino acids/kg. Basal diet 2 was supplemented with all EAA and NEAA to the concentrations of basal diet 1, except for threonine. Diets 3 to 10 had the same compositions as the supplemented diet 2, but contained increasing amounts of threonine.

5. For male and female chicks on diet 2, gain was significantly lower and food/gain ratio significantly higher than those on diet 1. Diet 10 (160 g CP/kg plus all EAA, including threonine, and NEAA supplemented to the concentrations of diet 1) resulted in the same performance as diet 1.

6. The results indicate that, when low protein maize‐soyabean meal diets supplemented with EAA and NEAA with 13·31 MJ ME/kg were fed to male and female broiler chicks until 21 d of age, improvements in gain and food/gain ratio were obtained when the dietary threonine content was increased to 7·25 g/kg. When female chicks were fed threonine‐supplemented diets to 28 d of age, improvement in gain and food/gain ratio was obtained when the threonine concentrations were increased to 6·32 g/kg diet.

7. Curves have been fitted to the data, from which a cost‐benefit analyses can be made and an optimum threonine dose calculated, using local prices.     

Rice bran lysolecithin as a source of energy in broiler chicken diet

1. Rice bran lysolecithin (RBL) was evaluated in broiler chicken diets. In the first experiment, RBL was included in diet at 0, 0·5, 2, 8 and 32?g/kg and fed to 250 broiler chickens from 0 to 42?d of age. In the second experiment, RBL was fed at 0, 25 and 50?g/kg diet to 405?day-old broiler chickens until 21?d of age, while during the finisher phase (22–35?d of age) chickens receiving each concentration of RBL were given all three concentrations of RBL in a 3?×?3 factorial manner. The diets were isocaloric.

2. Body weight, food consumption and food conversion efficiency were unaffected by feeding RBL, while the weight of pancreas increased at ≥2?g/kg of RBL in diet (experiment 1). In experiment 2, body weight was greater in the chickens receiving RBL at either 25 or 50?g/kg (21?d) and 50?g/kg (35?d of age). At 21?d of age, food consumption was greater at 25 or 50?g RBL/kg diet, while food conversion efficiency improved with 50?g RBL/kg diet.

3. Fat digestibility increased with RBL at 32?g/kg (experiment 1) and ≤25?g/kg (experiment 2). Rice bran lysolecithin increased ready to cook weight at 50?g/kg during starter phase and decreased abdominal fat at 25 and 50?g/kg during finisher phase (experiment 2). Liver and meat fat content were not affected.

4. It is concluded that lysolecithin from rice bran oil could be used as energy supplement in broiler chicken diet.     

Evaluation of the detoxifying effect of yeast glucomannan on aflatoxicosis in broilers as assessed by gross examination and histopathology

We evaluated the efficacy of yeast glucomannan (Mycosorb), incorporated into the diet at 0.5 and 1 g/kg, in reducing the detrimental effects of 2 mg aflatoxin/kg diet on growing broiler chicks from 1 to 21 d of age. A total of 240 male broiler chicks (Ross-308) was divided into 6 treatment groups [Control, Aflatoxin (AF), Yeast glucomannan (YG; 0.5 g/kg), AF plus YG (0.5 g/kg), YG (1 g/kg), and AF plus YG (1 g/kg)]. Ten chicks from each of the 6 groups were slaughtered and pathological examinations were performed on the liver, bursa of Fabricius, thymus, spleen and kidney. The aflatoxin treatment caused moderate to severe hydropic/fatty degeneration in the hepatocytes of the liver and the tubular epithelium of the kidneys, and follicular depletion in the bursa of Fabricius, thymus and spleen. Yeast glucomannan added to the aflatoxin-containing diet at 0.5 and 1 g/kg diminished the severity of pathological changes, slightly and moderately, respectively. The number of affected organs was also reduced in the group given 1 g/kg yeast glucomannan, compared to the aflatoxin group. These results show that yeast glucomannan effectively diminished the adverse effects of aflatoxin on the pathological changes and that the higher concentration of yeast glucomannan (1 g/kg) was more effective than the lower concentration (0.5 g/kg) and itself had no adverse effect.