Authors : Fei Shi, Xiaolan Seng, Huaqiao Tang, Shiming Zhao, Yang Deng, Ruwen Jin and Yinglun Li
Abstract: This study was conducted to investigate the effects of feeding corns naturally contaminated with AflatoxinB1 (AFB1) on performance, serum biochemistry, liver histopathological changes and percentage of hepatocyte apoptosis of Cherry Valley Ducks. Sixty, 1 day old ducks randomly divide into groups and were fed corn-soybean meal uncontaminated or contaminated AFB1. AFB1-contaminated diet significantly decreased the Body Weight (BW) gain, feed intake and feed conversion rate (p<0.05). The concentration of serum protein and the activity antioxidant enzyme were significantly decreased (p<0.05), the activity of serum biochemical enzyme and hepatocyte apoptosis were significantly increased (p<0.05) in AFB1-contaminated group. From histological study, liver tissue of ducks receiving AFB1-contaminated diets had markedly bile duct hyperplasia and vacuolar degeneration.
Fei Shi, Xiaolan Seng, Huaqiao Tang, Shiming Zhao, Yang Deng, Ruwen Jin and Yinglun Li, 2013. Effect of Low Levels of Aflatoxin B1 on Performance, Serum Biochemistry, Hepatocyte Apoptosis and Liver Histopathological Changes of Cherry Valley Ducks. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 12: 1126-1130.