Journal of Animal Health and Production

Research Article
J. Anim. Health Prod. 5(3): 120-126
Http://dx.doi.org/10.17582/journal.jahp/2017/5.3.120.126
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Avinash Warundeo Lakkawar1*, Hogalagere Doddappaih Narayanaswamy2, Mayasandra Lakshmikanth Satyanarayana2

1Department of Pathology, Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Veterinary Education and Research (RIVER), Kurumbapet, Pondicherry- 605009, India; 2Department of Pathology, Veterinary College, Bangalore- 560024, Karnataka, India.

Abstract | Diatomaceous earth (DAE) is an abundantly available clay, rich in a morphous silica that have light weight, highly porous and super-absorbent nature. The ability of DAE in reducing the adverse effects of aflatoxin (AF) in broiler diet was evaluated. A total of 240 healthy day old broiler chicks were divided into 6 groups (n= 40 per group), comprising of control and treatment groups. Group I and II was served as negative and positive control respectively. The groups III and IV were given 1 and 0.5 ppm of AF Kg-1 of feed respectively, while groups V and VI were both supplemented DAE @ 2000 mg Kg-1 of feed along with 1 and 0.5 ppm of AF Kg-1 of feed, respectively. Feeding of AF resulted in significant increase (p< 0.05) in the relative weight of liver, kidneys and heart in comparison to the control groups. However, the relative weight of thymus, spleen and bursa was found to be decreased (p< 0.05) in the aflatoxin fed birds. The addition of DAE to the aflatoxin mixed feed significantly improved the relative organ weight and decreased the severity of lesions in the visceral and lymphoid organs. The study concluded that DAE can be effectively used to decrease the toxic effects of AF in broiler chicken.

Keywords | Aflatoxin, Diatomaceous earth, Amelioration, Relative organ weight, Broiler chicken