Immunosuppression due to chronic ochratoxicosis in broiler chicks

Crystalline ochratoxin A (OA) was added to the feed of broiler chicks at 0.5 ppm and 2.0 ppm, and humoral and cell-mediated immunity (CMI) were studied. CMI was assessed by skin sensitivity testing, graft versus host (GVH) reaction and T lymphocyte count. Humoral immunity was examined by measuring the haemagglutinin (HA) response to sheep RBC (SRBC). In addition, total lymphocyte counts, total serum protein, albumin and globulin were determined and the phagocytic activity of splenic macrophages was measured in the nitroblue tetrazolium test (NBT). The weights of lymphoid organs were also recorded at post-mortem examination of the birds. Highly significant reductions in CMI were indicated by diminished skin sensitivity, GVH reactions and T lymphocyte counts. On the other hand, only the overall HA titres differed significantly between the various treatment groups. Total lymphocyte counts, total serum protein, serum albumin and serum globulin were significantly depressed on the 21st day of intoxication. The number of NBT-positive cells was drastically reduced in both the intoxicated groups compared with controls (P less than 0.05) and the weights of thymus, bursa of Fabricius and spleen of intoxicated birds were significantly reduced. The study illustrated the immunosuppressive effects of ochratoxicosis in broiler chicks.     

Influence of ochratoxin A and an extract of artichoke on the vaccinal immunity and health in broiler chicks.

The combined effect of ochratoxin A (at diet levels of 130, 305 and 790 ppb) and penicillic acid was studied in 100 broiler chicks. Serological investigations revealed significantly lower haemagglutination inhibiting antibody titers in the experimental chicks immunized with vaccine against Newcastle disease. A statistically significant decrease of the body weight and the relative weight of lymphoid organs as well as a significant increase of the relative weight of kidneys and liver were seen. The main degenerative changes were observed in the proximal convoluted tubules in kidneys and slight degenerative changes were found in the hepatocytes. Degenerative changes and depletion of lymphoid cells were observed in the bursa Fabricii, thymus, spleen and Peyer's patches of intestinal mucosa. Serum analyses revealed significant decreases of the total protein and cholesterol, and significant increases of the uric acid and glucose. Haematological analyses showed a slight anaemia, leucocytosis and slightly decompensated metabolic acidosis. A statistically significant protective effect of 5% total water extract of artichoke on humoral immune response (increase of haemaglutination inhibiting antibody titer), relative organ weight as well as on pathomorphological, haematological and biochemical changes induced by ochratoxin A, was established.     

Protective role of bentonite against aflatoxin B1- and ochratoxin A-induced immunotoxicity in broilers

The present study was designed to investigate any ameliorative effects of bentonite (BN) against immuno-pathological alterations induced by dietary aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) or ochratoxin A (OTA) in broiler chicks. In one experiment, AFB₁ (0.1, 0.2 or 0.6?mg/kg feed) was fed alone and par alley with bentonite clay (3.7 or 7.5?g/kg feed) to the broilers. In the second experiment, the broilers were given feed contaminated with OTA (0.15, 0.3 or 1.0?mg/kg feed) alone and in combination with bentonite clay (3.7, 7.5, or 15?g/kg feed). Experimental feedings were continued for 42 days. At various time points along the feeding schedule, immune system organ histologic status, as well as host humoral and cellular immune responses, were evaluated in all groups. The dietary addition of AFB₁ and OTA alone significantly reduced immune responses in the birds as assessed by histological changes in the bursa of Fabricius and thymus, antibody responses to SRBC, in-vivo lympho-proliferative responses to Phytohemagglutinin-P (PHA-P) and, phagocytic function in situ. The dietary addition of BN significantly ameliorated the immunotoxicity of 0.1 and 0.2?mg/kg dietary AFB₁, however with a level of 0.6?mg AFB₁/kg only partial amelioration was seen. The co-treatment of birds exposed to OTA with BN at all levels only partially alleviated deleterious effects on histology and immune responses. Taken together, the results here suggested to us that dietary addition of BN could help ameliorate AFB₁-mediated immunotoxicities but could not afford such protection against OTA-induced immune damage.     

Immunological status of the progeny of breeder hens kept on ochratoxin A (OTA)-contaminated feed

This study aimed to evaluate the immunological status of the progeny of breeder hens kept on ochratoxin A (OTA)-contaminated feed. For this purpose, 84 White Leghorn (WL) layer breeder hens (40-weeks-of-age) were divided into seven groups (A-G). Hens in the Group A were fed a commercial layer ration while those in Groups B-G were kept on a diet amended with 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 3.0, 5.0, or 10.0?mg OTA/kg, respectively, for 3 weeks. Fertile eggs were set for hatching on the weekly basis to get the progeny of each week separately. Hatched chicks (n?=?10 from each group) were euthanized at Day 14 of age, and their immunological organs weighed and fixed in neutral buffered formalin. An indirect immunoperoxidase method was applied to study the frequency of immunoglobulin(s)-bearing cells in the spleen and bursa of Fabricius from these progeny. From other chicks within each set, at Day 16 of age, lymphoblastogenic responses against an intradermal administration of phytohemagglutinin (PHA-P) were determined. Relative weights of the bursa of Fabricius and of the thymus were significantly lower in the progeny of hens fed OTA-contaminated diet for 14 and 21 days. The frequencies of IgA-, IgG-, and IgM-bearing cells were also significantly (P?≤?0.05) lower in the bursa of Fabricius and spleen of the progeny chicks obtained from dams fed the OTA-mixed diet. Progeny chicks obtained from the breeder hens fed higher doses of OTA showed significantly lower responses to PHA-P than did counterpart chicks from control hens. The findings of this study suggested that there were immunosuppressive effects from OTA in the progeny obtained from breeder hens kept on OTA-contaminated diets.     

Immunological status of the progeny of breeder hens kept on ochratoxin A (OTA)-contaminated feed

This study aimed to evaluate the immunological status of the progeny of breeder hens kept on ochratoxin A (OTA)-contaminated feed. For this purpose, 84 White Leghorn (WL) layer breeder hens (40-weeks-of-age) were divided into seven groups (A–G). Hens in the Group A were fed a commercial layer ration while those in Groups B–G were kept on a diet amended with 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 3.0, 5.0, or 10.0?mg OTA/kg, respectively, for 3 weeks. Fertile eggs were set for hatching on the weekly basis to get the progeny of each week separately. Hatched chicks (n?=?10 from each group) were euthanized at Day 14 of age, and their immunological organs weighed and fixed in neutral buffered formalin. An indirect immunoperoxidase method was applied to study the frequency of immunoglobulin(s)-bearing cells in the spleen and bursa of Fabricius from these progeny. From other chicks within each set, at Day 16 of age, lymphoblastogenic responses against an intradermal administration of phytohemagglutinin (PHA-P) were determined. Relative weights of the bursa of Fabricius and of the thymus were significantly lower in the progeny of hens fed OTA-contaminated diet for 14 and 21 days. The frequencies of IgA-, IgG-, and IgM-bearing cells were also significantly (P?≤?0.05) lower in the bursa of Fabricius and spleen of the progeny chicks obtained from dams fed the OTA-mixed diet. Progeny chicks obtained from the breeder hens fed higher doses of OTA showed significantly lower responses to PHA-P than did counterpart chicks from control hens. The findings of this study suggested that there were immunosuppressive effects from OTA in the progeny obtained from breeder hens kept on OTA-contaminated diets.     

Immunological status of White Leghorn chicks hatched from eggs inoculated with ochratoxin A (OTA)

This study was designed to evaluate the immunological status of chicks hatched from the ochratoxin A (OTA)-contaminated eggs. For this purpose, 900 fertile White Leghorn (WL) layer breeder eggs were divided into eight groups (A-H). Group A was maintained as untreated control, whereas Group B was kept as sham control (10 μL of 0.1?M NaHCO?). Groups C, D, E, F, G, and H were injected with 0.01, 0.03, 0.05, 0.10, 0.50, and 1.00 μg OTA/egg, respectively. Eggs were incubated at 37.5 °C and 65% relative humidity. Hatched chicks from each group were then maintained separately under standard environmental conditions. At Day 18-of-age, chicks (n?=?10) from each group were used for lymphoblastogenic response against an intradermal administration of phytohemagglutinin P (PHA-P). At Day 30-of-age, abdominal macrophages, collected from 15 chicks in each group, were utilized for determination of phagocytic potential using sheep red blood cells (SRBC) as particulate antigen and for nitrite production in response to lipopolysaccharide. Antibody (Ab) titers (i.e. total antibodies, IgG, and IgM) against SRBC were determined at 7 and 14 days after primary (at Day 13-of-age) and booster (given 14 days after primary) intravenously administered SRBC doses. The lymphoblastogenic responses of the chicks hatched from OTA-contaminated eggs in response to PHA-P administration were significantly lower at 24, 48, and 72 h after PHA-P injection when compared with responses by control chicks. The percentage of abdominal macrophages displaying phagocytosis of SRBC, the number of SRBC/macrophage, and nitrite production were each significantly lower in cells from chicks in the OTA-administered groups. Total Ab, IgG, and IgM titers against SRBC showed significant reductions in the groups that had been hatched from eggs injected with the higher doses of OTA (as compared with titers associated with chicks in control eggs). These findings suggested that there are substantive immunosuppressive risks in chicks that could be exposed to OTA in ovo.     

Immunological responses of male White Leghorn chicks kept on ochratoxin A (OTA)-contaminated feed

This study was designed to evaluate some immunological responses of male White Leghorn (WL) chicks kept on an ochratoxin A (OTA)-contaminated diet. For this purpose, 350 1-day-old male WL chicks were divided into five groups (A-E). Group A was kept as control, while Groups B, C, D, and E were fed OTA-contaminated feed at 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 mg/Kg diet, respectively, for 21 days, and then basal ration for the remaining period. At 14- and 16-days of age, random chicks (n?= 10) from each group were used for analyses of phagocytic function of the reticuloendothelial system or for measuring the lymphoproliferative responses to intradermally-administered T-cell mitogen, phytohemagglutinin-P (PHA-P), respectively. At 30-days of age, abdominal macrophages were collected from 15 chicks/group and utilized for determination of their phagocytic potential and for nitrite production. Antibody (Ab) titers (i.e., total antibodies, IgM, and IgG) against sheep red blood cells (SRBC) were determined at 7 and 14 days after a primary (at 7 days of age) and a booster (given 14 days after primary [at 21-days of age]) dose (intravenous) of the antigen. Data from the present study showed that the relative weight of the bursa of Fabricius of chicks fed OTA for 14 and 21 days and the spleen of chicks fed OTA for 21 days were significantly lower than their control counterpart. Phagocytic function of reticuloendothelial system evaluated by carbon clearance, and lymphoproliferative response to PHA-P, of chicks kept on OTA-contaminated diet were significantly lowered. The percentage of abdominal macrophages displaying phagocytosis of SRBC, the number of SRBC/macrophage, and nitrite production were each significantly lower in cells from chicks in the OTA-fed groups. Total Ab (at days 7 and 14 post-booster SRBC injection) and IgG (at day 14 post-primary and day 7 post-booster SRBC injection) titers against SRBC showed significant reductions in the groups fed OTA-contaminated diet. The findings of this study are in line with the previous work suggesting the immunosuppressive effect of OTA in male WL chicks regarding functional impairment in some of the components of the immune system.     

Haematological and some biochemical changes in experimental fowl typhoid infection in broiler chickens

A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of Salmonella Gallinarum (9, 12) infection on broiler chicks infected through oral and intraperitoneal routes. One hundred and ten broiler chicks (1 week of age) were divided into three groups: group CR (30 chicks) were kept uninfected and served as control group, group OR (40 chicks) were inoculated orally with Salmonella Gallinarum (10⁹ organisms/ml) and group IP (40 chicks) were infected intraperitoneally with Salmonella Gallinarum (10⁹ organisms/ml). Three birds from each group (including those that die) were sacrificed at 3, 5, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35 and 42 days post infection (DPI). Clinical signs were noticed as early as 12 h after intraperitoneal infection and on 3 DPI after oral infection. Higher mortality of 47.50% was observed in intraperitoneally infected chicks as compared to 22.50% in orally infected birds. Decreased body weight and reduced feed intake were observed in chicks in both the infected groups; however, the effects were more marked in chicks infected intraperitoneally. Mean values of haemoglobin, packed cell volume and total erythrocyte count were significantly lower (P?<?0.05) in both orally infected as well as intraperitoneally infected chicks. Leucocytosis observed in both the infected groups was due to increase in the number of heterophils and lymphocytes. Significant decrease (P?<?0.05) in serum total protein and serum albumin was observed in intraperitoneally infected birds only. However, the values of aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase were increased significantly (P?<?0.05) in both the orally infected and intraperitoneally infected birds.     

Blood chemistry,haematology, carcass characteristics and organ weight of finisher broilers fed breadfruit (Treculia africana) hull (BFH) in their diet

Blood chemistry, haematology, relative carcass and organ weights of finisher broilers feed breadfruit hull (BFH) as replacement for palm kernel cake and wheat bran were studied. Sixty-three, 4 weeks old Marshal Broilers were divided into 3 groups of 21 birds, and each group replicated thrice. Each group was assigned to one experimental diet in a completely randomised design designated T1 (0 %), T2 (5 %) and T3 (10 %). Blood samples for analysis, live weight, organ weight and carcass weight were obtained from each replicate and data obtained analysed statistically. BFH was found to be a good source of protein (7/100 g), fibre (38.5/100 g) and minerals (iron, zinc, magnesium, sodium, phosphorous and calcium). Results indicated that there was no significant difference (p?>?0.05) between birds on diet T1 and T2 in weight gain and carcass weights. Birds on diet T3 recorded significantly (p?p?>?0.05) in the white blood cell count, haemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration values in all groups, but red blood cell count and packed cell volume of birds on diet T3 were significantly (p?p?相似文献   

Immunological status of White Leghorn chicks hatched from eggs inoculated with ochratoxin A (OTA)

This study was designed to evaluate the immunological status of chicks hatched from the ochratoxin A (OTA)-contaminated eggs. For this purpose, 900 fertile White Leghorn (WL) layer breeder eggs were divided into eight groups (A–H). Group A was maintained as untreated control, whereas Group B was kept as sham control (10 µL of 0.1?M NaHCO₃). Groups C, D, E, F, G, and H were injected with 0.01, 0.03, 0.05, 0.10, 0.50, and 1.00 µg OTA/egg, respectively. Eggs were incubated at 37.5°C and 65% relative humidity. Hatched chicks from each group were then maintained separately under standard environmental conditions. At Day 18-of-age, chicks (n?=?10) from each group were used for lymphoblastogenic response against an intradermal administration of phytohemagglutinin P (PHA-P). At Day 30-of-age, abdominal macrophages, collected from 15 chicks in each group, were utilized for determination of phagocytic potential using sheep red blood cells (SRBC) as particulate antigen and for nitrite production in response to lipopolysaccharide. Antibody (Ab) titers (i.e. total antibodies, IgG, and IgM) against SRBC were determined at 7 and 14 days after primary (at Day 13-of-age) and booster (given 14 days after primary) intravenously administered SRBC doses. The lymphoblastogenic responses of the chicks hatched from OTA-contaminated eggs in response to PHA-P administration were significantly lower at 24, 48, and 72?h after PHA-P injection when compared with responses by control chicks. The percentage of abdominal macrophages displaying phagocytosis of SRBC, the number of SRBC/macrophage, and nitrite production were each significantly lower in cells from chicks in the OTA-administered groups. Total Ab, IgG, and IgM titers against SRBC showed significant reductions in the groups that had been hatched from eggs injected with the higher doses of OTA (as compared with titers associated with chicks in control eggs). These findings suggested that there are substantive immunosuppressive risks in chicks that could be exposed to OTA in ovo.     

Toxico-pathological effects of in ovo inoculation of ochratoxin A (OTA) in chick embryos and subsequently in hatched chicks

This study was designed to investigate the toxico-pathological effects of in ovo inoculation of ochratoxin A (OTA) in chicken embryos and subsequently in the hatching chicks. Nine hundred fertile white leghorn (WL) layer breeder eggs were divided into eight groups (A-H). Group A was maintained as untreated control, whereas group B was kept as sham control (10 μL of 0.1 M NaHCO(3) solution). Before incubation, groups C, D, E, F, G, and H were injected with 0.01, 0.03, 0.05, 0.10, 0.50, and 1.00 μg OTA/egg, respectively. At 53 hrs of incubation, crown to rump length, optic cups, and eye lens diameters were significantly (p ≤ .05) lower, whereas neural tube closure defects were higher in the OTA-treated embryos. Teratogenic defects (studied at day 9 of incubation) and embryonic mortalities were higher in the groups administered high doses of OTA. A significant increase was noted in the serum concentration of ALT, urea, and creatinine, along with higher weights of liver and kidney, in chicks hatched from OTA-contaminated eggs. These findings suggested that there are teratogenic and substantive toxicological risks in the developing chicken embryos and hatched chicks that could be exposed to OTA in ovo.     

Enhancement of Cellular and Humoral Immunity in Young Broilers by the Dietary Supplementation of β-Hydroxy-β-Methylbutyrate

As a dietary supplement, β-Hydroxy-β-Methylbutyrate (HMB), a catabolite of leucine, has been shown to reduce broiler mortality. In a series of experiments, male broilers (Experiments 1 and 2, n=576) were grown for 21 days on diets that contained HMB at 0, 0.01. 0.05, and 0.10% of diet. In Experiment 3 (n=240), chicks were fed diets containing 0, 0.05, 0.075, and 0.10% HMB. HMB dietary supplementation did not significantly affect broiler weight gain in any experiment. However, a trend toward increased mean broiler weight gain per bird was observed in Experiments 1 and 3 when HMB was consumed at 0.10% of the diet. Mean feed to gain ratio was not affected by the inclusion of HMB in broiler diets. In Experiment 3, HMB supplemented diets did not affect bursa of Fabricius, thymus, and spleen weights at 21 days of age. Cutaneous basophilic hypersensitivity response against pokeweed mitogen was higher (P≤0.05) at 48 and 72 hours post-injection in chicks on 0.05% dietary HMB (Experiment 1). In Experiment 2, this increase occurred 24 hours post-injection in chicks fed HMB at 0.01% of the diet. On the contrary, the T-cell mediated response against PHA-P mitogen was comparable between all dietary treatments in multiple experiments. Macrophage hnction profiles were determined at 21 days of age. All chicks in experiments 1 and 2 on HMB supplemented diets showed an increase in the recruitment of Sephadex-G50≤-elicited abdominal exudate cells (AEC). A 2-fold increase in AEC numbers occurred at the 0.10% HMB level (Experiment 1, P≤0.05). Although HMB supplementation did not significantly affect the phagocytic potential of the abdominal macrophages, nitrite levels in the macrophage culture supernatants were higher in 0.01% and 0.05% treatment groups as compared to the controls (Experiment 2, P≤0.04; Experiment 3, P≤0.05). HMB supplementation did not alter the bird's ability to clear Escherichiacoli or Salmonella arizona from the bloodstream. Beginning 7 days post-hatch, chicks were injected i.v. with a 7% sheep red blood cells suspension. Serum samples were collected to determine the primary and secondary antibody response. Chicks receiving the 0.1% HMB diet in Experiments 1 and 2 exhibited increased IgG and total anti-sheep red blood cell (SRBC) antibody levels during the primary response. During the secondary response, birds consuming the 0.10% HMB diet had elevated IgM levels as well as increased total anti-SRBC levels over the controls in Experiments 1 and 3. These studies show that HMB supplementation improves several immunological functions in young broilers, and such improvement may result in decreased mortality.     

Immuno-pathologic effects of oral administration of chlorpyrifos in broiler chicks

Abstract

This study sought to assess if chlorpyrifos (CPF) induced immunotoxic effects in orally-treated day-old broiler chicks. Groups of chicks received per os CPF diluted in xylene at 5, 10, and 20?mg/kg body weight (CPF-5, CPF-10, and CPF-20) orally daily for 15 days. Xylene and control groups received xylene alone (1?ml/kg BW) and physiological saline, respectively. At various times during/after the exposure regimens, different immune end-points were analyzed in the birds. Humoral immunity was examined by assessing antibody responses to sheep red blood cells. Cell-mediated immunity was measured via lymphoproliferative responses to avian tuberculin. Leukocyte phagocytic ability was measured using a carbon clearance assay. Results showed that CPF administered to broiler chicks caused a dose-dependent decrease in humoral immunity, cell-mediated immunity, and phagocytic activity. Dose- and time-related pathological changes were observed in bursa of Fabricius, spleen, and thymus in treated birds. These changes were mild, moderate, and severe, respectively, in the 5, 10, and 20?mg/kg CPF groups. The Bursa of Fabricius in treated birds showed increased inter-follicular connective tissue proliferation, severe moderate cytoplasmic vacuolation, edema, and degenerative changes such as pyknosis and fragmentation of nuclei that depleted the follicles of lymphoid cells. In the spleen, disorganization of follicular patterns, severe congestion, cytoplasmic vacuolation, degenerative changes, and hyperplasia of reticular cells were noted. The thymus in treated birds exhibited congestion, hyper-cellularity, and a presence of immature monocytes in the medullary region, as well as myoid cell necrosis. Taken together, these studies clearly demonstrated that chlorpyrifos could induce immunotoxicities in broiler birds.     

Pathological changes in broiler chickens fed ochratoxin A and inoculated with Escherichia coli.

A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of ochratoxin A (OA) on Escherichia coli-challenged broiler chickens. One hundred and eighty-four one-day-old broiler chicks were divided into two groups of 92 chicks each, with one group fed a control mash diet and the other fed a mash diet containing 2 parts/10(6) OA. On day 14, each group was further subdivided into two groups with one group inoculated with E. coli O78 (1 x 10(7) colony-forming units/0.5 ml) by the intraperitoneal route, whereas the other group was not inoculated with E. coli. Four birds from each group were sacrificed at 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14 and 21 days post-inoculation to record pathological changes in the liver, kidneys, heart, lungs, bursa, spleen and thymus. E. coli infection induced perihepatitis and pericarditis in the liver and heart, respectively, in chickens infected with E. coli alone or in OA-fed birds from 1 day post-infection (DPI) onwards. At 1 DPI, a thin fibrin layer covered the liver and heart; however, at subsequent days, the layer became thicker. E. coli infection did not produce appreciable changes in the kidneys, bursa or thymus. However, there was congestion of the lungs along with mononuclear cell infiltration. Ochratoxin feeding induced changes from 10 DPI onwards in chicks fed OA alone and those infected with E. coli. The changes in kidneys included swollen proximal convoluted tubules, degeneration of tubular epithelium and interstitial nephritis. Degenerative changes and mononuclear cell infiltration were recorded in the liver. There was atrophy of the lymphoid organs along with depletion of lymphocytes. Gross and histopathological changes were more severe in chickens fed OA and inoculated with E. coli than the chickens fed OA alone or those infected with E. coli, indicating combined action of these two.     

Antiparasitic effect of wild rue (Peganum harmala L.) against experimentally induced coccidiosis in broiler chicks

Organic farming of poultry has increased in recent years as the prophylactic use of antibiotics has come into disfavor. This study was conducted to explore the antiparasitic effect of a methanolic extract of Peganum harmala in broilers challenged with coccidiosis. For this purpose, 200 1-week-old broiler chicks were divided into five treatments: negative control (basal diet, Ph-0/NC), positive control (basal diet with coccidiosis challenge, Ph-0/C), and three groups challenged with coccidiosis and supplemented with P. harmala at the rate of 200 mg L^?1 (Ph-200), 250 mg L^?1 (Ph-250), and 300 mg L^?1 (Ph-300) drinking water. Each group had three replicates of ten chicks each. Challenge with standard dose of the larvae of coccidiosis and supplementation of P. harmala were initiated on day 14 until 35 days of age. As expected, the results revealed that weight gain, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were depressed significantly in Ph-0 group with significant mortality percentage. Weight gain, total body weight, and FCR increased linearly with increasing dose of P. harmala with the exception of feed intake. The growth and feed efficiency of Ph-0/NC was better in Ph-0/NC compared to that in Ph-0/C and comparable to that in P. harmala-treated birds. Similarly, mean ooccytes per gram (OPG) decreased linearly (P?<?0.05) in supplemented groups compared to that in Ph-0/C. Histological evidences showed that cecal lesion and leucocyte infiltration decreased markedly in supplemented groups of P. harmala specifically the Ph-300 group compared to those in Ph-0/C. From the present experiment, we concluded the anticoccidial effect of P. harmala in broiler chicks.     

Effect of garlic supplementation on complement activity in broiler chickens

Recent studies have demonstrated the potential immuno-modulatory activity of herbal products in human and animals. The present study was performed to elucidate the impact of including fresh garlic powder (FGP) in the diet of broiler chicks on serum alternative pathway of complement activation (APCA) activity, as a functional part of humoral innate immunity. For this, two hundred new-born chicks were divided into three groups: A (50 chicks), B and C (75 each). The chicks in group A were fed control diet, whereas those in groups B and C received diets supplemented with 1% or 3% of FGP, respectively. On day 21, half of the chicks in groups B and C were separated into groups D and E, respectively, and fed control diet afterwards. Sera were collected on days 1, 14, 21, 32 and 42, and assayed for APCA activity. The results showed that APCA activity in groups A and B increased up to day 32 and then decreased (P < 0.05). On day 21, the highest and lowest APCA activities (P < 0.05) were noticed in groups B and C, respectively. On days 32 and 42, group C had the least APCA activity, but the differences among other groups were not significant (P > 0.05). Furthermore, the removal of FGP from the diet led to the improvement of APCA activity in treated groups. In conclusion, garlic supplementation, depending on the rate and period of time used in the diet, may enhance or depress humoral innate immunity in broiler chickens.     

Histopathological changes in the kidneys of Japanese quail associated with fumonisin B1 and ochratoxin A in feed

This study describes the toxic interaction of fumonisin B₁ (FB₁) and ochratoxin A (OTA), alone and in combination for histopathological changes of the kidneys in day-old Japanese quail. Quail chicks were divided into four groups and fed with basal quail chick mash containing FB₁ at 200 ppm (group FX), OTA at 2 ppm (group OX), and FB₁ at 200 ppm?+?OTA at 2 ppm (group FO) and standard toxin-free feed (group CX, control) for 28 days. Results of the present study showed that feeding of diets amended with 200 ppm FB₁ and 2 ppm OTA led to mild to moderate swelling of the kidneys in a few birds fed FB₁. However, swelling in the kidneys of the group fed OTA alone revealed mild to severe swelling with occasional dilatation of the ureters. The kidneys revealed swelling of tubular epithelial cells, presence of eosinophilic proteinaceous material in tubular lumen, and tubular epithelial cells in FB₁ fed group, while mainly, swelling of proximal convoluted tubule epithelial cells with indentation of nuclear membranes was a conspicuous finding noticed in OTA and combination treatment groups.     

High stocking density as a predisposing factor for necrotic enteritis in broiler chicks

Stocking density is a management factor which has critical implications for the poultry industry. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of high stocking density as a predisposing factor in an experimental model of necrotic enteritis in broiler chicks. The experimental challenge model included an oral inoculation with 10-fold dose of attenuated anticoccidial vaccine and multiple oral inoculations with a specific strain of Clostridium perfringens. Two hundred and forty as hatched day-old broiler chicks were randomly allocated to four treatment groups according to the following experimental design: group N, with normal stocking density (15 birds/m²) and no challenge; group D, with high stocking density (30 birds/m²) and no challenge; group P, with normal stocking density and positive challenge; and group DP, with high stocking density and positive challenge. From each bird, the intestine, gizzard and liver were collected and scored for gross lesions. The intestinal digesta was collected for pH and viscosity determination. One caecum from each bird was taken for microbiological analysis. The statistical analysis and evaluation of the experimental data revealed significant interaction effects between “stocking density” and “challenge”, regarding gross lesion scores in intestine and liver, pH values in jejunum, ileum and caeca as well as C. perfringens counts in the caeca (P ≤ 0.05). High stocking density in challenged birds increased the gross lesion score in the intestine (P ≤ 0.05), contrary to unchallenged birds. It can be concluded that high stocking density affects unfavourably the welfare and gut health of broiler chicks, predisposes to necrotic enteritis in a subclinical experimental model and increases further its importance as a management factor for the poultry industry.     

Vertical transmission and clinical signs in broiler breeders and broilers experiencing adenoviral gizzard erosion

The present report documents an outbreak of adenoviral gizzard erosion in 22 broiler flocks in Germany. The clinical picture was characterized by uneven growth of affected broilers that resulted in considerably lower than average weight at slaughtering. Fowl adenovirus serotype 1 (FAdV-1) was isolated from gizzard lesions and histological examinations demonstrated FAdV-1-positive intranuclear inclusion bodies in gizzard epithelial cells of affected broilers by in-situ hybridization. Birds from all affected flocks originated from one broiler breeder farm. During production of affected birds, broiler breeders were between 27 and 32 weeks old. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and specific virus neutralization assay of sera from parent birds demonstrated an acute FAdV-1 infection within the first 5 weeks of the production cycle. Clinically, broiler breeders exhibited a moderate fall in the hatchability of their chicks, while egg production remained normal. No further clinical signs could be observed. Genetically identical FAdV-1 strains were isolated from gizzards of embryos at the lowest point of hatchability and from affected broiler flocks raised on independent farms. For the first time, direct detection of viable FAdV-1 from gizzards of embryos and progenies of one FAdV-1-seropositive broiler breeder farm in the course of an outbreak of adenoviral gizzard erosion could be demonstrated, highlighting the importance of vertical transmission of this disease. Additionally, growth retardation and subsequent reduced average weight at the time of slaughter of broiler chickens underline the economic impact of adenoviral gizzard erosion for poultry production.     

Comparative pathology of gizzard lesions in broiler chicks fed fish meal, histamine and copper

In order to elucidate the histopathogenesis of gizzard lesions occurring with various diets and in particular with fish meals, comparative studies were made on the gizzard and proventriculus of broiler chicks fed a diet containing 15% of a suspect batch of fish meal (group A), and normal fish meal containing diets to which were added 0.4% of histamine (group B) or 1,000 parts/10(6) of copper (group C). The gizzard lesions in group A were widespread and consisted of thickening and loosening of the lining, frequently with erosions and ulcerations. The lesions in group B were almost identical to those in group A, but were less severe and less associated with erosions and ulceration. The lesions in group C were widespread and consisted of a markedly thickened lining with numerous desquamated surface cells, sometimes with erosions. The surface and chief cells were swollen in most glands of groups A and C and in the cells of those glands under the altered lining in group B. A poorly-staining secretion was shown to be excreted into the lining. The proventriculus in the three experimental groups showed increased secretion in direct proportion to the severity of the gizzard lesions. It was suggested that the gizzard lesions caused by dietary fish meal might have originated from hyperactivity of the gizzard glands, followed by erosion and ulceration.