Effect of levels of equisetin and fumonisin mycotoxins on blood parameters of broiler chicks

This study was carried out to assess the effect of equisetin and fumonisin mycotoxins on the blood parameters of broiler chicks. A total of 280 day old broiler chicks (Abor Acre) were acquired from a commercial hatchery in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria for this study. The chicks were randomly assigned to 7 treatments combinations in a completely randomized design. Treatment A had equisetin mycotoxin in three levels of concentration (25, 50 and 100%), treatment B had fumonisin also with three levels of concentration (25, 50 and 100%), while treatment C was the control. Each treatment concentration was replicated twice and the mycotoxin was administered at 20 birds per replicate. One milliliter sterile syringes were used per treatment to inject 0.1 mL solution of the 2 toxins intravenously through the wing web of the broiler chicks on days 8, 10, 12 and 14. On day 15, 5 mL sterile syringes were used to collect 4 mL of blood samples from the birds for haematological and biochemical analysis. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance and treatment means were separated using Duncan multiple range test. With the exception of white blood cell count (WBC) and platelet (PLT), all other parameters measured for haematological studies showed no significant variation. This could mean that the broiler chicks had slow response to the toxin effect. However, the higher WBC value (89.44-98.73 µL) in birds administered mycotoxin, with the exception of A50, relative to the control (85.47 µL) indicated the presence of toxin in the birds’ blood stream. Results obtained on serum biochemical analyses showed a significant variation (P<0.05) on all the parameters measured. The ALT (4.10-8.30 IU L-1) and AST (46.90-123.30 mg dL-1 values obtained from experimental chicks were significantly higher than that of the control (2.50 IU L-1, 38.10 mg dL-1. Chicks exposed to A50 mycotoxin concentration had the highest creatinine value which an indication of kidney impairment. It is concluded that the exposure of broiler birds to mycotoxin has a negative effect on blood parameters and the functionality of internal organs of the birds. Feed ingredients should, therefore, be properly dried and stored under conducive condition to prevent mold growth and feed quality control measures should be established at feed mills.