Suppression of cell-mediated immunity by purified aflatoxin B1 in broiler chicks |
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Authors: | R C Ghosh H V Chauhan G J Jha |
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Affiliation: | Department of Veterinary Pathology, (Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya), Anjora, Durg, India. |
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Abstract: | The effect of purified aflatoxin B1 on cell-mediated immunity (CMI) in broiler chicks was assessed using doses of 0.3 and 1 mg/kg feed from hatching to 6 weeks of age. Total lymphocyte and T lymphocyte counts and the 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene skin sensitivity test, graft-versus-host reaction and nitroblue tetrazolium salt reduction tests were used to evaluate CMI. Both doses of aflatoxin B1, including the apparently nontoxic dose of 0.3 mg/kg feed, caused a significant (P less than 0.05) decline in CMI. The functional activity of splenic macrophages was decreased significantly (P less than 0.05) by both doses of the toxin. |
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