LAUSR

Abstract Aflatoxin and ochratoxin are important mycotoxins formed by different species of Aspergillus and Penicillium. The purpose of this study was to check the toxic pathological effects of moldy feed in White Leghorn (WLH) hens and to estimate the amelioration by distillery yeast sludge (DYS) against mycotoxins. For this purpose, 100, 40-weeks old WLH hens were procured and kept under standard management conditions. Birds were divided in five equal groups. Birds were kept on moldy feed (ochratoxin A (OTA): 56 μg/kg and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1): 136 μg/kg) mixed with 0, 0.5, 1 and 2% DYS/kg moldy feed. Group A served as control. The birds of the control group were active, with normal feed intake and feathers as compared to moldy feed and in combination with DYS. The attraction toward feed and water, feed intake, body weight gain, egg production (%) and egg weight significantly (p ≤ 0.05) decreased in the moldy group as compared to control group. The relative weight of liver, kidney, heart and spleen increased significantly in groups B (moldy feed) and C (moldy feed + 0.5% DYS) as compared to control group. Total erythrocyte count (TEC), total leukocyte count (TLC), hemoglobin (Hb) and hematocrit lowered significantly in B and C groups. Moldy feed in liver, kidney and spleen produced pathological changes like enlargement, ecchymotic hemorrhages on the surface, vacuolar degeneration, cellular infiltration, congestion, etc. Almost all parameters studied were normal compared to control group with the addition of 2% DYS in moldy feed while 1% DYS partially ameliorated the toxic effects of mycotoxins.