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Effect of graded levels of aflatoxin, ochratoxin and their combinations on the performance and immune response of broilers

1. The effects of dietary aflatoxin (AF, 0·5, 1·0 and 2·0 mg/kg), ochratoxin (OA, 1·0, 2·0 and 4·0 mg/kg) or combinations of these on body weight gain, feed efficiency, organ weights and immune response were studied in broilers. 2. Significant growth depression, reduced food consumption and poor food conversion efficiency were recorded in broilers fed a diet containing the greater concentrations of AF (1 and 2 mg/kg) and OA (2 and 4 mg/kg). 3. The combination of 2 mg/kg AF and 4 mg/kg OA exerted the maximum adverse effect on growth, feed intake and feed efficiency, indicating a synergistic effect on performance. 4. AF at 2 mg/kg in the diet caused a significant increase in the relative weight of liver, whereas the relative weight of kidney was significantly increased at 4 mg/kg of OA. A significant decrease in the relative weight of the bursa of Fabricius was noted at the highest concentration of AF (2 mg/kg) and combinations of 1 and 2 mg/kg AF and 2 and 4 mg/kg OA. 5. Cell mediated immunity (CMI), in terms of mean skin thickness (MST) sensitive to dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB), was significantly reduced in chicks given the combination of 2 mg/kg AF and 4 mg/kg OA. Haemagglutination (HA) titre against sheep red blood cells (SRBCs) peaked at 42 d of age. At 42 and 47 d of age, a significant decrease in HA titres was recorded in chicks given 4 mg/kg OA or a combination of AF (1 or 2 mg/kg) and OA (2 or 4 mg/kg). 6. AF at a dietary concentration of 1 mg/kg or more and OA at 2 mg/kg or more, either alone or in combination, caused severe reductions in growth and immune response.