EFFECT OF AFLATOXIN AND TOXIN BINDERS ON THE SERUM CHOLESTEROL LEVEL OF BREEDING JAPANESE QUAILS, COTURNIX COTURNIX JAPONICA

摘要

Mycotoxins play a global role in human and animal health. Molds in poultry feed are a source of significant economic loss to poultry producers. Molds adversely influence performance of animals by altering the nutrient composition of feed ingredients,decreasing the efficiency of nutrient utilization, and by producing toxic secondary metabolites. This work was carried out to study the role of locally available herbal plant extracts such as Azadirachta indica, Cynodon dactylon and Curcuma longa in counteracting the effects of experimental aflatoxicosis in laying Japanese quail by feeding them with diets containing aflatoxin at 1.5 and 3ppm levels for a period of six weeks.