Determination of serum aflatoxin B₁-lysine and biochemical parameters in broiler chicks fed an aflatoxin B₁-contaminated diet

Abstract

In the present trial, the levels of serum aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁)-lysine and their relationship with biochemical parameters in broiler chicks fed an AFB₁-contaminated diet were determined. The experimental design was completely randomized with two treatments (control and 222.17 µg/kg AFB₁) and 20 bird per treatment. Feeds were offered to broiler chicks for 14 days, from 28 to 42 days of age. Animals were vaccinated against Newcastle’s and Marek’s diseases on the 14th day of life, and were killed at 42 days of age. Broilers receiving AFB₁ did not demonstrate any sign of toxicity. Compared with controls, aspartate aminotransferase and globulin levels were not affected in the AFB₁-treated group. However, higher levels of gamma-glutamyl transferase and lower concentrations of total protein and albumin were observed in the group receiving AFB₁ on days 35 and 42. AFB₁-lysine were detected in the serum of all broilers fed the AFB₁-contaminated diet, at mean levels of 56.52–77.83 ng/mg albumin on days 35 and 42 of age, respectively. These values indicated the internal dose of AFB₁ in birds, which negatively correlated with total protein, albumin, and globulin levels. Data indicated that AFB₁-lysine shows the potential to be a sensitive and specific biomarker for the evaluation of broiler exposure to dietary aflatoxin, as well as for diagnostic purposes. Further studies are necessary to determine physiologically-based toxicokinetics of serum AFB₁-lysine in broilers.

Keywords:

• AFB₁-lysine
• biomarker
• LC-MS/MS
• broilers
• toxicity

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

The authors thank São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) for the financial support [grant no. 2010/20895–4].