Role of clay in detoxification of aflatoxin B 1 in growing Japanese quail with reference to gender.

The present study investigated the influence of the quail diet polluted with aflatoxin B ₁ (AFB ₁ ) and its detoxification by using clay as a feed additive on the growth performance and some blood biochemical components of growing Japanese quail with reference to sex. A total number of 120 Japanese quail chicks (1 week old), was randomly divided into 10 groups (24 chicks/ group). A 5 × 2 factorial arrangement experiment was performed and included five levels of AFB ₁ (0 ppm, 1 mg/kg AFB ₁ , 1 mg/kg AFB ₁  + 1% clay, 2 mg/kg AFB ₁ and 2 mg/kg AFB ₁  + 1% clay) and two sexes. Birds fed with aflatoxin free diet had significantly (P ≤ 0.05 and 0.01) higher final live body weight, weight gain and lower mortality rate than the other groups. Addition of 1% clay significantly (P ≤ 0.05 and 0.01) improved the growth performance traits and diminished aflatoxin effect when compared to groups without the addition of clay. Obtained results indicated significant (P ≤ 0.05) differences between the two sexes in their response to aflatoxicosis in the final live body weight and weight gain. Our results showed significant (P ≤ 0.01) changes in all blood biochemicals (total protein, albumin, globulin, total cholesterol, creatinine, uric acid) and activities of serum enzymes studied due to the toxicity of AFB ₁ . Conclusively, the consumption of polluted diets with AFB ₁ caused deleterious effects on the growth performance and blood biochemicals components of Japanese quail, while dietary addition of natural clay to the diet of growing Japanese quail caused beneficial effects.
(© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.)