Effects of Two Different Types of Montmorillonite on Growth Performance and Serum Profiles of Broiler Chicks during Aflatoxicosis

Authors: YINGHUA SHI, ZIRONG XU, YU SUN, CHENGZHANG WANG, JIANLEI FENG

Abstract: Experiments were conducted to compare the efficacy of montmorillonite (M) and montmorillonite nanocomposite (MN) to reduce the toxicity of aflatoxin (AF) in broiler chicks from 0 to 42 days of age. A total of 240 chicks were assigned to 6 dietary treatment groups (0 g of adsorbents and 0 mg of AF/kg feed, 3 g of M/kg feed, 3 g of MN/kg feed, 0.11 mg of AF/kg feed, 0.11 mg of AF plus 3 g of M/kg feed, and 0.11 mg of AF plus 3 g of MN/kg feed). Compared to the control, AF alone significantly decreased ADG and feed efficiency. Marked improvements in performance by the addition of MN to AF diet demonstrated the ability of MN to reduce the toxic effects of AF. However, the addition of M can not diminish the growth inhibitory effects of AF. AF intake markedly increased relative weights of liver, kidney, spleen, and pancreas, and resulted in significant alterations of serum biochemical values and enzymatic activities. Chicks fed MN with AF diet had apparent recovery or restoration of AF-induced organ lesions and aberrations in serum profiles, whereas chicks fed M with AF diet had relative organ weights and serum profiles similar to those of chicks fed AF alone, which indicated beneficial effects of MN and nonprotective effects of M. These findings suggest that feeding MN can effectively prevent the adverse effects associated with aflatoxicosis in broiler chicks.

Keywords: Aflatoxin, montmorillonite nanocomposite, toxicity, broiler chicks

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