Aisha Khatoon

Amelioration of Ochratoxin A-induced immunotoxic effects by silymarin and vitamin E in White Leghorn cockerels

Silymarin (SL) is the bioactive extract of the plant Silybum marianum and Vitamin E (VE) is an important anti-oxidant. The present study was designed to evaluate potential ameliorative effects of SL and VE against Ochratoxin A (OTA)-induced immunotoxic effects in White Leghorn cockerels. One day-old birds were divided into 12 groups (20 birds/group) and fed basal diets amended with OTA (1.0 or 2.0 mg/kg) alone or in combination with SL (10 g/kg) and/or VE (200 mg/kg) for 42 days. Immunological in situ responses, including antibody formation against sheep red blood cells (7 and 14 days after both primary and booster injections), lymphoproliferative responses to avian tuberculin (30 days of age), and mononuclear phagocytic system function (i.e. by clearance of injected carbon particles) assay (42 days of age), were assessed. Results suggested that silymarin and Vitamin E alone or in combination ameliorated the immunotoxic effects induced by 1.0 mg OTA/kg but could not significantly impact on the effect from ingestion of 2.0 mg OTA/kg. The results of the present study suggested that both SL and VE possess an ability to ameliorate OTA-induced immunotoxicity in chicks. However, it remains to be determined whether/what SL:OTA or VE:OTA ratios are required to assure such mitigation of OTA-induced immunotoxicities.

Ameliorative effects of L-carnitine and vitamin E (α-tocopherol) on haematological and serum biochemical parameters in White Leghorn cockerels given ochratoxin A contaminated feed

Abstract 1. L-carnitine is a quaternary ammonium compound biologically synthesised from the amino acids methionine and lysine while vitamin E (α-tocopherol) is an important antioxidant. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the ameliorative effects of L-carnitine and vitamin E upon haematological and serum biochemical parameters in ochratoxin A intoxicated birds. 2. Day-old White Leghorn cockerels were acclimatised for 2 d, divided in 12 groups with 20 birds in each group. From d 3 of age, they were given different combinations of ochratoxin A (1.0 and 2.0 mg/kg), L-carnitine (1 g/kg) and vitamin E (200 mg/kg) in feed. Haematological (erythrocyte count, leucocyte count, haemoglobin concentration and haematocrit percentage) and serum biochemical parameters (serum urea, creatinine, albumin, total proteins and alanine aminotransferase) were evaluated. 3. Results confirmed that L-carnitine and vitamin E given alone or combined with 1.0 mg/kg ochratoxin A ameliorated toxin induced alterations in haematological and serum biochemical parameters. This amelioration, however, did not occur when ochratoxin of 2.0 mg/kg was given. 4. L-carnitine and vitamin E in combination have the ability to ameliorate ochratoxin altered haematological and serum biochemical parameters. However, the optimum ratio of L-carnitine + vitamin E, to be used to assure such mitigation of ochratoxin A altered changes in haematological and serum biochemical parameters in cockerels, has yet to be determined. The combination used in this study was indeed sufficient to ameliorate the alterations induced by ochratoxin A up to 1.0 mg/kg feed.

Protective effects of l-carnitine upon toxicopathological alterations induced by ochratoxin A in white Leghorn cockerels

Abstract This study was designed to investigate the protective effects of l-carnitine (LC) against ochratoxin A (OTA) induced toxicopathological alterations in white Leghorn cockerels. Parameters studied included behavioral parameters, mortality, feed intake, body weight gain, relative organ weights and histopathological alterations. Results suggested that OTA induced suppression in behavioral parameters, feed intake, body weight gain, relative organ weights and histopathological alterations were progressively improved when LC was given with 1 mg/kg OTA; however, this protection subsided when 2 mg/kg OTA was given with it. The optimum level of LC required to produce such mitigation at higher OTA levels is yet to be determined; however, the level used in this study is quite sufficient enough to ameliorate toxicopathological alterations induced by OTA up to 1 mg/kg feed.

Effect of sub-lethal doses of thiamethoxam (a neonicotinoid) on hemato-biochemical parameters in broiler chicks

Abstract This project was designed to observe the hemato-biochemical effects of sub-lethal doses of thiamethoxam (TMX) in broiler chicks. A-day old chicks (n = 90) were procured from the local market and maintained under standard housing conditions and divided into five equal groups (18 birds/group). The experimental trial continued for 45 days. Sub-lethal doses of TMX including 50, 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg B.W. to groups A, B, C and D were administered through crop tube, respectively. Group E served as a control. Blood and serum samples were collected from each group on 10th, 17th, 24th, 31st, 38th and 45th day of the experiment. The data were analyzed through ANOVA by MSTAT-C. All hematological parameters were determined. Serum samples were analyzed for ALT, AST, total proteins and urea. It was concluded from this study that even sub-lethal doses of TMX have toxic effects on hematology and biochemical parameters.

Comparative efficacy of Bentonite clay, activated charcoal and Trichosporon mycotoxinivorans in regulating the feed-to-tissue transfer of mycotoxins

BACKGROUND Mycotoxins contamination in animal products and by-products is a persistent threat to the food and feed industry. The present study was designed to evaluate the comparative inhibitory effects of Bentonite (BN), activated charcoal (AC) and a newly discovered yeast, Trichosporon mycotoxinivorans (TM), against feed-to-tissue transfer of mycotoxins. RESULTS A dose dependent increase as determined by HPLC, in the residues of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and ochratoxin A (OTA) was exhibited in the groups of birds fed AFB1 and OTA alone. The dietary addition of BN and AC to AFB1-contaminated diets resulted in a 41-87% and 16-72% decrease in AFB1 residues in liver of the birds, respectively. However, this decrease was non-significant with addition of TM as AFB1 binder. A partial to non-significant protection was observed by dietary BN and AC, against OTA residues, while a significant decrease in OTA residues (38-84%) was noted in TM-OTA co-fed groups. CONCLUSION The order of efficacy in terms of lowering AFB1 residues in the liver was BN > AC > TM, while against OTA it was TM > BN > AC. The findings of present study suggest that, based upon the nature of target mycotoxins, a mixture of multi-mycotoxins binders/detoxifiers should be incorporated in the animal feeds.

Study of fungi and their toxigenic potential isolated from wheat and wheat bran

Abstract The present study was designed to investigate the fungi and their toxigenic potentials isolated from the wheat and wheat brans. A total of 67 samples of wheat and 17 samples of wheat bran were collected from Faisalabad district of Pakistan. Forty-five (67.16%) samples of wheat yielded fungi. Frequency distribution based on total samples, Aspergillus was the highest (44.77%) genus followed by Penicillium, Fusarium and Alternaria. Penicillium verucosum (30.64%) was the most frequently isolated species followed by A. niger aggregates, A. flavus, A. parasiticus, P. chrysogenum, A. ochraceous, A. carbonarius and A. fumigatus. Among Aspergilli, A. niger aggregates (46.67%) were most frequently isolated species. Out of 30 Aspergilli isolates from wheat samples, 17 (56.66%) were found toxigenic. AFB1 produced by aflatoxigenic Aspergilli varied from 1.44 to 836.3 ng/g, while ochratoxin A levels varied from 0.037 to 15 045 ng/g. Among Penicillium species, P. verrucosum (63.15%) were found ochratoxigenic and OTA levels were varied from 7.31 to 8400 ng/g. In wheat bran, 10 (58.82%) samples yielded fungi. Based upon total samples, frequency distribution of Aspergillus (35.28%) was the highest followed by Penicillium and Fusarium. Similar pattern was observed in relative density of isolates. A. niger aggregates and P. verrucosum were predominant species (23.07%) isolated from wheat bran. Among Aspergilli, A. niger aggregates (50%) were the most frequently isolated species followed by A. flavus, A. fumigatus and A. ochraceous (16.67%) each. The OTA levels of fungi isolated from wheat bran varies from 0.292 to 2500 ng/g. Isolation of toxigenic A. niger aggregates from wheat indicates that these species should be considered as possible contributors of OTA contamination in wheat and its by-products in Pakistan.

Does distillery yeast sludge ameliorate moldy feed toxic effects in White Leghorn hens

Abstract Aflatoxin and ochratoxin are important mycotoxins formed by different species of Aspergillus and Penicillium. The purpose of this study was to check the toxic pathological effects of moldy feed in White Leghorn (WLH) hens and to estimate the amelioration by distillery yeast sludge (DYS) against mycotoxins. For this purpose, 100, 40-weeks old WLH hens were procured and kept under standard management conditions. Birds were divided in five equal groups. Birds were kept on moldy feed (ochratoxin A (OTA): 56 μg/kg and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1): 136 μg/kg) mixed with 0, 0.5, 1 and 2% DYS/kg moldy feed. Group A served as control. The birds of the control group were active, with normal feed intake and feathers as compared to moldy feed and in combination with DYS. The attraction toward feed and water, feed intake, body weight gain, egg production (%) and egg weight significantly (p ≤ 0.05) decreased in the moldy group as compared to control group. The relative weight of liver, kidney, heart and spleen increased significantly in groups B (moldy feed) and C (moldy feed + 0.5% DYS) as compared to control group. Total erythrocyte count (TEC), total leukocyte count (TLC), hemoglobin (Hb) and hematocrit lowered significantly in B and C groups. Moldy feed in liver, kidney and spleen produced pathological changes like enlargement, ecchymotic hemorrhages on the surface, vacuolar degeneration, cellular infiltration, congestion, etc. Almost all parameters studied were normal compared to control group with the addition of 2% DYS in moldy feed while 1% DYS partially ameliorated the toxic effects of mycotoxins.

Amelioration of immunosuppressive effects of aflatoxin and ochratoxin A in White Leghorn layers with distillery yeast sludge

Abstract The present study was carried out with the objectives to thrash immunotoxic effects of moldy feed in commercial White Leghorn layers and to know either addition of distillery yeast sludge (DYS) in moldy feed ameliorates the immunotoxic effects or not. For this purpose, moldy feed was prepared containing OTA and AFB1 56 and 136 μg/kg, respectively. For this purpose, 100, 40-week-old White Leghorn hens were procured and kept under standard management conditions. Birds were divided into five equal groups. Birds were kept on moldy feed (ochratoxin A: 56 μg/kg and aflatoxin B1: 136 μg/kg) mixed with 0%, 0.5%, 1% and 2% DYS/kg moldy feed. Group A served as control. Blood was collected without anticoagulant to separate serum. Serum ALT, creatinine and blood urea levels significantly increased in moldy-fed group as compared to control group, while nonsignificantly different readings of serum ALT, creatinine and blood urea were recorded in moldy feed + 2% DYS and control group. Immune parameters, that is, lymphoproliferative response to PHA-P, phagocytic potential and total protein and IgG titers against sheep RBCs were significantly decreased in birds receiving moldy feed as compared to control group. Almost all parameters studied were normal compared to control group with the addition of 2% DYS in moldy feed, while 1% DYS partially ameliorated the immunotoxic effects of mycotoxins.

Estimation of ochratoxin A in poultry feed and its ingredients with special reference to temperature conditions

ABSTRACT 1. The present study was designed to analyse ochratoxin A (OTA) in poultry feed samples (mixed types) along with different poultry feed ingredients collected from different farms and market of Lahore, Pakistan. 2. The whole year (2012–2013) was divided into three sub-periods depending upon environmental conditions, that is, July–October (hot and humid), November–February (winter) and March–June (moderate). During each sub-period 120 samples were collected for each feed and each ingredient constituting a total of 840 samples (120x7 of feed and feed ingredients in each sub-period). 3. The results of this study indicated that the incidence of OTA-positive samples was highest in July–October followed by that during March–June while the incidence was minimum during November–February. Similarly, the largest number of samples was below the maximum tolerable level (MTL) during November–February followed by March–June while the least number of samples was below MTL during hot weather (July–October). 4. This is the first elaborative study regarding the levels of OTA in poultry feed and its ingredients collected from Lahore, Pakistan.

Mycotoxicosis – diagnosis, prevention and control: past practices and future perspectives

Abstract Mycotoxins pose severe health hazards in animals, humans, and poultry birds. More than 400 chemically different mycotoxins have been identified to date. Twenty-five percent of world’s crops are potentially contaminated with mycotoxins. Luckily, nature has provided the ruminants a unique property of inactivating and detoxifying most of the mycotoxins with the help of microflora and microfauna present within their ruminal fluid; however, unfortunately avian species lack such ability putting them at high risk to the deleterious effects of mycotoxins. This review elaborates different strategies for diagnosis, prevention and control of mycotoxins.