Organ Histopathology of Laying Chickens to Bio-Control Methods of Aflatoxin Contamination

Abstract

Aflatoxin is toxic and carcinogenic to both crops and livestock. Use of different methods of aflatoxin mitigation has not been very effective. Information on the biological methods in aflatoxin mitigation is scanty. Therefore, effect of aflatoxin bio-control method on organ weight and histopathology of layers were investigated. 700 point-of-lay Bovan Nera layers (LC) were randomly allotted to four dietary treatments (Aflasafe maize-based diet AMBD, FF+ toxin binder, Aflatoxin-contaminated diet with toxin binder (ACDTB) and Aflatoxin-contaminated diet without toxin binder (ACDWTB). There were 5 replicates per treatment and experiment lasted for 14 weeks. Histopathology of liver, kidney, spleen, bursa of fabricius and ileum were assessed using standard procedures. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and ANOVA at α0.05. Bursa histopathology of layers fed ACDTWB showed lymphoid depletion and hepatocellular necrosis, while those fed AMBD showed lymphoid proliferation and hepatocellular aggregates. Layers fed ACDTB and ACDWTB showed severe periportal hepatic degeneration and necrosis, with severe periportal cellular infiltration by mononuclear cells. This was classified as ranging from moderate to severe congestion of the parenchyma as observed in the lungs. The submucosal lymphoid population was expanded in the ileum of layers fed AMBD and those fed FF+toxin binder showed severe villi atrophy. Aflasafe maize-based diet enhanced integrity of the organ weights and histopathology of layers. The use of bio control method of aflatoxin mitigation (aflasafe) in poultry diet is recommended.