Effects of Ochratoxin A Feeding in White Leghorn Cockerels on
Hematological and Serum Biochemical parameters and its Amelioration
with Silymarin and Vitamin E
M. Fakhar-ud-Din Ahmad, M. Kashif Saleemi*, M.
Zargham Khan, Ahrar Khan, Faqir Muhammad1,
Zahoor-ul-Hassan2, Aisha Khatoon, Sheraz Ahmed Bhatti,
Rao Zahid Abbass3 and Ishtiaq Ahmed4
Department of Pathology, 1Department
of Physiology & Pharmacology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad;
2Department of Animal Sciences, KPK Agricultural
University, Peshawar; 3Department of Parasitology,
University of Agriculture, Faisalabad; 4Department of
Pathology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore,
Pakistan *Corresponding Author: drkashif313@yahoo.com
Abstract
The objective of the present study was to
evaluate the hematobiochemical effects tempted by ochratoxin A (OTA) in White
Leghorn(WL) cockerels and to evaluate the effect of silymarin (SL), vitamin E
(VE) and their combination against OTA persuaded pathological alterations in
cockerels. A total of 240 day-old WL cockerels were divided into 12 groups A-L
having 20 birds in each group and group A was control.Two doses of OTA 1000 and 2000 µg/kg of feed were given to cockerels up
to 7 weeks. Silymarin was administered at a dose rate of 1000 mg/kg and Vitamin
E at a dose rate of 200 mg/kg alone and in combinations with two doses of OTA.In OTA treated groups total erythrocytes counts, leukocytes count, PCV
and Hb were decreased as compared to control, SL and VE groups. Albumen and
serum total proteins in OTA treated groups were significantly lower as compared
to control, SL and VE groups. Serum alanine transferase was significantly
increased in OTA fed groups in comparison with control, SL and VE groups.
Creatinine and urea were increased in OTA treated groups but were almost normal
in SL and VE groups. Results showed that OTA had severe effect on liver and
kidney but SL and VE treated groups had normal liver and kidneys showing its
hepatoprotective effects. However, at higher dose of OTA this ameliorative
effect was partially observed. These agents may be recommended as a remedy for
ochratoxicosis.
Key words:
Biochemistry,
Cockerels,
Ochratoxin A,
Silymarin, Vitamin E, White Leghorn