Evaluation of the ability of a feed additive to ameliorate the adverse effects of aflatoxins in turkey poults

Abstract

1. A study was conducted to evaluate the possible protective effect of a feed additive containing aluminosilicate and phytogenic substances against the adverse effects of aflatoxins in turkey poults.

2. Dietary treatments (6) were given to turkey poults from d 1 to d 42 of age. From d 1 to 21 the dietary treatments were as follows: 1, negative control, no aflatoxins or feed additive added; 2, feed additive control, 1 kg/t feed additive, no aflatoxins; 3, 250 ppb (µg/kg) aflatoxins, no feed additive; 4, 250 ppb aflatoxins + 1 kg/t feed additive; 5, 500 ppb aflatoxins, no feed additive; and 6, 500 ppb aflatoxins + 1 kg/t feed additive. From d 22 to 42, the dietary concentration of the feed additive was increased from 1 to 2 kg/t in all treatment groups receiving the feed additive (2, 4 and 6), while keeping constant the dietary concentrations of aflatoxins.

3. Aflatoxins at 250 ppb did not cause adverse effects on performance but affected certain toxicopathological parameters. At 500 ppb, adverse effects on performance and several toxicological parameters were observed.

4. Some of the adverse affects were partially or completely overcome by supplementation with the feed additive, including amelioration of the performance parameters, suppression of mortality and correction of the immunological alterations induced by the exposure to the aflatoxins.