The Effects of Saccharomyces Cerevisiae on Performance and Biochemical Parameters in Broiler Chicks During Aflatoxicosis

The amelioration of aflatoxicosis in broiler chicks was examined by the dietary addition of Saccharomyces Cerevisiae (SCE). Saccharomyces cerevisiae incorporated into the diet at 1 g kg 1 was evaluated for its ability to reduce the deleterious effects of 1 and 2 ppm Aflatoxins (AF) on Ross broiler chicks from 1days to 42 days of age. The AF treatments significantly decreased feed consumption and body-weight gain and increased feed conversion ratio (p< 0.05). Serum cholestrol, total protein and albumin decreased significantly (p< 0.05) in diets contaminated with aflatoxin. Compared to controls, the addition of SCE to an AF-containing diet significantly reduced the deleterious effects of AF on body-weight gain, feed conversion ratio, cholestrol, albumin and total protein. The AF fed groups had higher serum activities of the enzymes LDH and AST and decreased activity of ALP. The addition of SCE to an AF-containing diet reversed the effect of the toxin on the activities of serum enzymes. These results suggest that SCE reduced the adverse effects of AF and should be helpful in a solution to the aflatoxicosis problem in poultry.