The supplementation of different adsorbents in the diets of broiler chickens to prevent aflatoxicosis and its effect on growth performance, carcass characteristics and histopathological properties

The aim of this study was to determine the efficiency of hydrated sodium calcium aluminosilicate (HSCAS), diatomite, activated charcoal, saccharomyces cerevisiae and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) supplemented to diet as adsorbents in the prevention of anatoxin Bı (AFBi) toxicity in the broiler chickens. Four consecutive trials were conducted using day-old Ross 308 male broiler chicks each trial lasted for 42 days. In the experiments, it was determined that whether the supplementation of 3 and 6 k/kg CLA, 2.5 and 5 g/kg Saccharomyces cerevisiae and 2.5 g/kg HSCAS, diatomite, activated charcoal in the diets having 40 and 80 ppb AFBi was efficient in the prevention of aflotoxicosis. AFBi in the diet negatively affected body weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion rate parameters in all experiments and altered biochemical parameteres of serum. Liver weight was increased in birds given AFBi at the levels of 40 and 80 ppb; besides, 80 ppb AFBi in the diet caused histopathological degenerations. Compared to groups receiving AFBi alone, the addition of the HSCAS to the AFBi contaminated diet increased body weight gain, feed intake and improved feed conversion rate. Similarly, the addition of the CLA provided protection against broiler chickens' liver damage, which is induced by AFBi. It was proved that although the addition of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in the diets prevented partially the decrease in the growth performance and histopathological changes induced the AFBi at the level of 40 ppb, this addition failed to prevent the negative effects of AFBi at the level of 80 ppb. It was determined that the addition of diatomite or activated charcoal in the diets failed to prevent the harmful effects of AFBi. It was concluded that HSCAS is the most effective adsorbent to decrease the negative effects of AFB] to broiler chickens.Key Words: Aflatoxin Bi, Aflatoxicosis, Adsorbents, Performance, Broiler