Effect of citrinin and aflatoxin on haemato-biochemical parameters of broiler chicken

The present study was aimed to find out the individual and combined effects of Citrinin (CTN) and Aflatoxin (AF) on haematological and biochemical parameters of broiler chicken. Two experimental trials were conducted using 96 broiler chicks. In each trial, 48 newly hatched broiler chicks were randomly allotted to 4 groups of 12 birds each and fed with control, CTN (5 ppm), AF (0.5 ppm) and CTN (5 ppm) + AF (0.5 ppm) diets from 0 to 6 weeks of age. Significant (P<0.05) decrease in packed cell volume (PCV) and haemoglobin (Hb) in AF and CTN+AF groups and total erythrocyte count (TEC) in all mycotoxin fed groups were observed when compared to control. Significant (P<0.05) decrease in the serum total protein, albumin and globulin were observed in the mycotoxin fed birds than in the control group. Significant (P<0.05) decrease in the serum total protein and serum albumin were observed in the combined toxicity than in AF alone fed birds. Significant (P<0.05) decrease in the serum glucose and significant (P<0.05) increase in alanine transaminase (ALT) levels were observed in the CTN+AF group alone. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) level was significantly increased in the CTN+AF and AF fed groups. Combined toxicity caused hypoproteinaemia, hypoalbuminaemia, hypoglycaemia and elevated serum ALT which were significant (P<0.05) when compared to the AF and control groups. The effect of combined toxicity was more severe than individual mycotoxicity of aflatoxin and citrinin in chicken.