Effect of aflatoxin on the coccidial infection in broilers

ABSTRACT

Two hundred of one day old chickens were divided into four equal groups and kept for the end of experiment. The first group was kept as control negative, the second group received 1 ppm of dietary aflatoxin from day zero of chick life till the end of present study, while the third group was given 4x10[4] sporulated oocysts of Eimeria sp., the group four were obtained coccidial oocysts and aflatoxin in their rations. The combination of aflatoxin and coccidia, produced higher mortality rate, higher faecal scores and increased oocysts output than those chicks received aflatoxin or coccidia only. Body weighs and efficiency of feed utilization were decreased in all treated groups. The maximal losses of body weight and efficiency of feed utilization were noticed in chicks infected with Eimeria sp. and at received aflatoxin in their ration. The levels of total serum proteins, gamma globulins, calcium and phosphorus were decreased in chicks infected with coccidia and received dietary aflatoxin. Total bilirubin and SGOT activity were higher in chicks infected with Eimeria sp, and obtained aflatoxin