An experiment was conducted to study the effects of anatoxin 81 (AFB1)
supplementation on kidney function, performance, some blood constituents, some
digestive organs (Liver, proventriculus and gizzard) and immune glands (spleen,
thymus & bursa of Fabricius) of broiler chicks. A total of 135 one-day old broiler chicks were utilized during the whole
experimental period (7 weeks of age). Birds were randomly assigned to three
experimental groups. The first groups were fed the basal diet supplemented with
AFB1 at a rate of !-Ig/kg diet, respectively. Supplementation of AFB1 resulted in a significant (P weight, weight gain, feed consumption and feed conversion ratio while resulted in a
significant (P body weight and weight gain, and the elevation in mortality rate were increased as
supplemental AF81 dose increased. Birds fed AFB1·supplemented diets exhibited a
significant (P and gizzard while they showed a significant (P of spleen, thymus and bursa of Fabricius glands, this indicating immune suppression
effect of AFB₁. Uric acid in blood, creatinine, alkaline phosphatase, GOT and GPT
were significantly (P and creatine Kinase were significantly (P reflects nutrient and mineral metabolism disorders and kidney dysfunction. AF81 had
also acute and direct negative effect on glomerular filtration rate, urine now and Ca
and P excretion in urine. This is coincident with the increased water consumption ano
excreta moisture. It is concluded that AFB₁, the most potent nephrotoxic for birds, act directly on
the kidneys to alter several hematological parameters and nutrient and mineral
metabolism in chickens.