White Leghorn layer breeder hens, 30 weeks of age, were divided into 12 groups (A-L). Group A was kept on basal feed and served as control, while group B was offered feed supplemented with vitamin E (100 mg/Kg). Groups C-G were offered feed containing 100, 500, 2,500, 5,000 and 10,000 µg/Kg aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), respectively, whereas groups H-L were offered same dietary levels of AFB1 along with vitamin E (100 mg/Kg). The experimental feeds were offered for three weeks and afterward all the groups were switched over to basal feed for next two weeks. Body weight, absolute and relative weights of liver and kidneys of AF fed birds were significantly higher than control group. Pathological lesions in aflatoxin (AF) fed birds included enlarged, pale and friable liver, swollen kidneys and hemorrhages on different organs. Histopathological lesions in liver included fatty change, congestion and hemorrhages, while in kidneys tubular necrosis, cellular infiltration, congestion and hemorrhages were found in groups fed AFB1 at 500 μg/Kg and higher doses. In AF fed hens, no significant ameliorative effects of vitamin E could be observed upon AF induced decrease in feed intake, gross pathology and histopathological alterations and organ weight except body weights. It was concluded that the vitamin E ameliorated the AFB1 induced toxic effects in some of parameters studied.

Key words: Aflatoxin, Aflatoxicosis, Amelioration, Layer, Pathological effects, Vitamin E