Variations of clinical biochemical parameters of laying hens and broiler chickens fed aflatoxin-containing feed.

Summary Two groups of 32 laying hens (Hyssex Brown) and two groups of 32 23‐day‐old (Hybro) broiler chickens were fed 2.5 and 5 parts/106 of aflatoxin in their diet for 4, 8, 16 and 32 days; 16 hens and 32 chicks were maintained as control groups (0 parts/106). After the intoxication period, a clearance period was established of 1, 2, 4 and 8 days. Relative weights of liver and kidneys significantly increased in intoxicated hens, but not in broiler chickens. Histological lesions in both types of bird consisted of hepatic cell vacuolation with fatty infiltration. There was a significant decrease (P 0.05) different from control values, but triglyceride levels decreased (P< 0.001) in both intoxicated groups. The effect of aflatoxin on calcium a...