Alleviative Effect of Mannan Oligosaccharide against Penicillic Acid Toxicity in Broiler Chickens

Penicillic acid (PA) is α, β-unsaturated conjugated lactone produced by Penicillium and Aspergillus species occurs in feed and foodstuffs. Mannan oligosaccharide (MOS) present in the cell wall of S. cerevisiae, was found to have beneficial effects in poultry against mycotoxicosis. To find out the alleviative effect of MOS against PA toxicity in broiler chickens. Feeding of broiler chickens with different diets (T1Control, T2MOS (0.05%), T3PA (20 ppm) and T4-PA (20 ppm) + MOS (0.05%) of 12 chicks each. Eight chicks were allotted to no toxin-no binder-no vaccine group (T5). Two birds from each group were sacrificed on 7 th , 14 th , 21 st and 28 th day of age to study the cell mediated immunity of the birds. On the 28 th day of trial, remaining birds were sacrificed to study the haematobiochemical alterations, pathological changes in different organs and immune status. The addition of MOS (0.05%) to PA (20 ppm) diet had no impact in alleviating the toxic effects of PA in broiler chicken when fed for four weeks. MOS alone induced hypoalbuminaemia, elevated BUN values and pathological changes in the liver, kidneys, spleen and bursa of Fabricius.