Effect of clinoptilolite on serum biochemical and haematological characters of broiler chickens during aflatoxicosis

Clinoptilolite (CLI, a natural zeolite) incorporated into the diet at 1.5 a nd 2.5 per cent were evaluated for their ability to reduce the deleterious effects of 2.5 mg total aflatoxin (AF) kg(-1) diet on broiler chickens from 1 to 21 days of age. In total 360 broiler chicks were divided into six equ al treatment groups (control, AF. CLI (1.5 per cent). AF plus CLI (1.5 per cent), CLI (2.5 per cent) and AF plus CLI (2.5 per cent)). When compared wi th the controls, AF treatment significantly decreased serum total protein, albumin, inorganic phosphorus, uric acid, total cholesterol and the values of haematocrit, red blood cell counts, mean corpuscular volume, haemoglobin , thrombocyte counts, percentage of monocyte counts; increased values of wh ite blood cell and heterophil counts. The addition of CLI (1.5 per cent) an d CLI (2.5 per cent) to the AF-containing diet reduced the adverse effects of AF and should be helpful in a solution to the aflatoxicosis problem in p oultry. (C) 2000 Harcourt Publishers Ltd.