Abstract

ROLL, V.F.B. et al. Hematology of broilers fed diets containing aflatoxins and mycotoxin adsorbent. Arch. zootec. [online]. 2010, vol.59, n.225, pp.93-101. ISSN 1885-4494.

A research was conducted to evaluate the effect of mycotoxins' adsorbent Mycosorb^® on the hematological parameters of broilers (Ross) fed diets contaminated or not with aflatoxins. The welfare of broilers was determined by measuring heterophil/lymphocyte ratio. Blood samples were collected at 37, 44 and 51 days of age for the counting of total and differential leukocytes. Leukocytes counting were determined for lymphocytes and heterophils. The counting was based on the proportion of each cell type present in 100 counted cells. Heterophil/lymphocyte ratio was obtained dividing the rate of heterophils by the rate of lymphocytes. A total of 784 birds were used. Four treatments (seven replications of 28 birds each) were studied: T1= non contaminated corn (control); T2= contaminated corn (1 ppm aflatoxin) without adsorbent; T3= contaminated corn (1 ppm aflatoxin) + 1 kg Mycosorb^®/t; and T4= non contaminated corn + 1 kg Mycosorb^®/t. Data were analyzed through ANOVA and Duncan test was used for comparing the treatment means. Birds fed diets containing contaminated corn without mycotoxin adsorbent (T2) showed the highest numeric hematocrit index for all ages. However, significant differences (p<0.05) were found only among contaminated corn without adsorbent (T2) compared to uncontaminated corn containing mycotoxin adsorbent (T4) at 37 and 44 days of age. The highest heterophil/lymphocyte difference was observed among birds fed diets containing non contaminated corn without adsorbent in comparison to the ones fed diets containing non contaminated corn supplemented with 1 kg adsorbent/kg (32 vs. 16%, p<0.05). Birds fed diets containing aflatoxin without adsorbent showed lower weight gain (p<0.05) at 51 days when compared to the ones fed contaminated diets supplemented with adsorbent (2078.0 vs. 2501.2 kg, respectively). In conclusion, dietary supplementation of adsorbent based on sterified glucomannan (Mycosorb^®/1 kg/t) in diets with or without contaminated corn positively affects hematocrit and live weight and improves animal welfare of female broilers, as evaluated through heterophil/lymphocyte ratio.

Keywords : Heterophils; Lymphocytes; Welfare; Stress.

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