Effect of deoxynivalenol and an algae-clay detoxifier on intestinal morphology, and liver oxidative stress in broiler chickens

Abstract

Chronic exposure to deoxynivalenol (DON) remains a persistent concern in broiler chickens, as it can adversely affect the digestive system. These detrimental effects can occur at DON levels below the European threshold of 5 mg/kg feed. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of natural DON contamination in feed on digestive health, and liver oxidative stress in broiler chickens, while also assessing the efficacy of an algae-clay-based detoxifier in mitigating these effects. One-day-old male chickens (n=600; Ross 308) were divided into three treatments with ten replicates (20 birds/rep). The chickens were fed a control diet (CON) with negligible levels of DON (0.2 mg/kg) or diets naturally contaminated with significant levels of DON (2.9 mg/kg), either supplemented (2 g/kg diet; ALG) or not with the detoxifier (DON). Samples of jejunum from one bird per pen at d 14, d 28, and d 37 were collected and fixed for histological analysis (NanoZoomer scan). A liver sample was collected and submitted to RNA isolation (SV Total RNA Isolation System), and total RNA was quantified by spectrophotometer. Jejunum villus damage was observed on d 28 (P=0.04), followed by villus shortening on d 37 in chickens fed the DON diet. This negative effect was not observed when the diet was supplemented with the ALG detoxifier (table 1; P=0.01). On d 37, the mRNA expression of glutathione synthetase was increased in the liver of broilers fed DON diet (P<0.01). However, its expression was similar to the control when the birds were supplemented with the ALG detoxifier. In conclusion, dietary contamination with DON (~3 mg/kg) had a negative impact on chicken intestinal morphology and the liver redox system. When the algae-clay detoxifier was added, the harm caused by DON was no longer observed.