مجتبی یاری

Aflatoxins (AF) are a major issue encountered in poultry farms, leading to much economic losses. The current trail is planned to determine the effects of AF (600ppb) and Rosemary essence (ROS) (500ppm), singly or in combination, on the visceral organ weights, some blood biochemical parameters and mortality percentage of broilers. A total of 240 unsexed Ross 308, were randomly allotted into 4 treatments with 3 replicates having 20 chicks each (Control; AF; ROS and AF+ROS). The broilers fed AF contaminated diet from beginning and showed characteristic effects of aflatoxicosis. The weight of spleen, and pancreas decreased and bursa and liver weights increased due to ingestion of AF. Serum levels of cholesterol, LDL and HDL and mortality is increased in aflatoxin fed broilers. The Rosemary could partially restore the adverse effects of AF to some extent and when alone added into the diet and showed good effects on reducing cholesterol, HDL, LDL and reduction number of dead birds, due to presence of essential oils and antioxidants activity in its content.