Iron-induced toxicity in broilers: evaluation of certain herbs

摘要

A total of 225 male broiler chicks (Cobb strain) of day old age were procured for the study. The chicks were randomly divided into 15 groups consisting of fifteen in each group. Group 1 was maintained as basal diet control and group 2 on ferrous sulphate @ 0.5% in feed throughout 6 wks as iron toxic control without any treatment. Group 3 to 15 were maintained on FeSO_4 @ 0.5% in feed for the 4 wks (28 days) of study and thereafter, administered with certain herbs and herbal combinations for the next2 wks. Lipid profile and phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) assay were studied at the end of 4~(th) and 6~(th) wk, while HI and histopathology were conducted at the end of 6~(th) wk. The concentration of total i. holesterol, triglycerides and LDL cholesterol wasincreased significantly (p<0.05), while HDL values were decreased significantly (p<0.05) in toxic groups (2 to 15) at the end of 4~(th) wk. However, following supplementation of herbs and herbal combination, the values of group 3 to 15 were revived towards normal. The mean HI titre and PHA assay revealed significant (P<0.05) decrease in the iron toxic control group 2 as compared to the remaining groups. Histopathology of bursa and spleen in iron toxic control (group 2) revealed areas of necrosis and degenerative changes. In conclusion, the study revealed that iron affected lipid profile and immune status significantly, while supplement tation of herbs could protect the birds from toxic effects of iron.