Pathological, hematological, and biochemical alteration in broiler chickens infected with mycotoxin in Babylon province.

Background: Mycotoxins are considered one of the most important problems and threats that face poultry producers.

Aim: This study was conducted to investigate the pathological, hematological, and biochemical alterations in chickens fed on mycotoxins contamination ration.

Methods: 434 feed samples were collected from poultry farms operating in Babil Governorate/Iraq, where feed samples were collected over the course of 2023, and these samples were tested by direct competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to determine the level of mycotoxins. (Aflatoxin, Ochratoxin, and Trichothecin T2) in poultry feed rations, after that, the chickens that were fed on feeds contaminated with mycotoxins were carefully examined to observe clinical signs. Then, blood samples were collected from chickens fed on feeds contaminated with mycotoxins, as well as from chickens fed on uncontaminated feeds (control group). These blood samples were divided to two parts one was put in a tube contain anticoagulant Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) to examination the complete blood count, while the other part was put in a gel test tube for separating the serum which used in the biochemical tests which included the total protein and total cholesterol, uric acid and the liver enzymes [Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and Aspartate aminotransferase (AST)]. Then, the chickens fed on mycotoxins contaminated feed were humanly sacrificed to observe the gross lesions after that, tissue samples were collected from internal organs (liver, kidneys, bursa of Fabricius, and spleen) to examine the microscopic lesions.

Results: The results showed the percentage of feed samples contaminated with mycotoxins above the limit of quantification values were 22% (94), whereas the percentage of feed samples contaminated with aflatoxin, ochratoxin, and trechothesen T2 was 12% (54), 8% (34), and 2% (6), respectively. The gross lesions were showed on the internal organs of chickens fed on mycotoxins contaminated feed paleness, enlargement and friable liver, pale, enlarged, and lobulated kidneys, hemorrhage in skeletal muscle as well as showed ascites. Microscopically, the kidneys showed necrosis in some renal tubules and glomeruli. In the liver, there was congestion of the portal vein and periportal necrosis with inflammatory cells infiltration. The results showed a significant decrease in means values of HB, PCV, RBCS, WBCS, total protein, and cholesterol while there was a significant increase in means values of AST, ALT, and Uric acid in infected chickens group compared with the healthy chicken group.

Conclusion: Contamination of feed with mycotoxins is one of the most prominent challenges facing poultry producers in Babylon province. In addition, it is important to do pathological, hematological, and biochemical examinations for the diagnosis of mycotoxins in broilers.