Role of clay in detoxification of aflatoxin B1 in growing Japanese quail with reference to gender

The present study investigated the influence of the quail diet polluted with aflatoxin B 1 (AFB 1 ) and its detoxification by using clay as a feed additive on the growth performance and some blood biochemical components of growing Japanese quail with reference to sex. A total number of 120 Japanese quail chicks (1 week old), was randomly divided into 10 groups (24 chicks/ group). A 5 × 2 factorial arrangement experiment was performed and included five levels of AFB 1 (0 ppm, 1 mg/kg AFB 1 , 1 mg/kg AFB 1 + 1% clay, 2 mg/kg AFB 1 and 2 mg/kg AFB 1 + 1% clay) and two sexes. Birds fed with aflatoxin free diet had significantly ( P ≤ 0.05 and 0.01) higher final live body weight, weight gain and lower mortality rate than the other groups. Addition of 1% clay significantly ( P ≤ 0.05 and 0.01) improved the growth performance traits and diminished aflatoxin effect when compared to groups without the addition of clay. Obtained results indicated significant ( P ≤ 0.05) differences between the two sexes in their response to aflatoxicosis in the final live body weight and weight gain. Our results showed significant ( P ≤ 0.01) changes in all blood biochemicals (total protein, albumin, globulin, total cholesterol, creatinine, uric acid) and activities of serum enzymes studied due to the toxicity of AFB 1 . Conclusively, the consumption of polluted diets with AFB 1 caused deleterious effects on the growth performance and blood biochemicals components of Japanese quail, while dietary addition of natural clay to the diet of growing Japanese quail caused beneficial effects.