Indian Journal of Poultry Science

Aflatoxins, produced by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus are relatively common mycotoxins, contaminating commodities used in animal and poultry feed. Chronic aflatoxicosis is generally associated with poor performance and immunosuppression in poultry where enormous productivity losses have been reported with aflatoxin B₁. Present research was carried out to evaluate the biochemical and immunological changes induced by continuous feeding of aflatoxins (100 ppb/kg feed) for sixty days in chicks. The results indicated significant reduction in body weight. Liver specific enzymes namely Alanine amino transferase and Aspartate amino transferase exhibited enhanced activity thereby indicating hepatic damage. There was a significant decline in the levels of total immunoglobulins, circulatory immune complexes and bursal weight/body weight ratio suggesting immunosuppression by aflatoxin B₁ which may decrease resistance of chicks to subsequent infections.