Comparative consequences of two sources of aflatoxins in ducklings experimental aflatoxicosis

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of two aflatoxins (AFs) sources for experimental induction of aflatoxicosis in ducklings. Dietary supplementation of aflatoxin-contaminated grounded rice grains previously was cultured by Aspergillus parasiticus and dietary supplementation of aflatoxin methanolic extract of contaminated rice grains. A total number of 18 four-day-old ducklings were treated with varying sources of AFs. Treatments included: A: Control (basal diet without AFs), B: Contaminated feed with 0.20 mg kg-1 AFs (ground rice grains), C: Contaminated feed with 0.20 mg kg-1 AFs (methanol extract of contaminated rice grains). Results showed a significant decrease in serum levels of total protein, albumin, glucose, triglyceride, cholesterol, HDL, LDL and creatinine. The serum's hepatic enzymes  levels were not affected in AFs-treated groups but lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) concentration increased by the two AFs sources. The relative weight of the liver and spleen was significantly increased in AFs-fed groups. Histopathological liver examination showed the vacuolar degeneration with small and large lipid droplets in hepatocytes in the AFs- contaminated groups. Dietary AFs resulted in a significant decrease of villus height, villus width and villus surface area of the small intestine compared to the control group. In conclusion, the results showed that the induction of experimental aflatoxicosis via two investigated AFs sources had slight differences concerning the studied parameters. It seems the group consumed ground rice grains indicated slightly fewer aflatoxicosis symptoms than the methanolic extract.