The Ameliorative Performance of Proanthocyanidin against Florfenicol Toxicity in Broiler Chickens

The usage of antibiotics in poultry sector is still controversial. Florfenicol (FF) is a popular antibiotic and feed additive for poultry. The immunosuppressive effects of toxic florfenicol cannot be ignored. So, a guide for its proper use is important for assurance food safety. Our study focused on the effects of florfenicol toxicity on growth performance, hepato-renal function, immune response, and florfenicol residue in chicken tissues either raw or boiled, as well as a trial to lessen the negative impact of toxicity by providing proanthocyanidin. The chickens were divided into 4 groups: the first group (G1) was control group, and the other three groups were given a toxic oral dose of florfenicol at 15 days old (40 mg/kg twice daily for five successive days). The second group (G2) serves as a positive group. The third group (G3) received proanthocyanidin as a therapy (250 mg/kg of ration) post the last dose of FF till the end of experiment, whereas fourth group (G4) received the same dose of proanthocyanidin as a prophylactic from one day old until the completion of the trial (35 days). The outcome data expresses the optimistic consequences of proanthocyanidin as a prophylactic in G4 via boosting growth characteristics, reducing ALT and AST, bedside restoring normal levels of urea and creatinine at 14 days post florfenicol final dose, and levels of globulin, and total protein at 1 and 14 days post florfenicol final dose. Additionally, proanthocyanidin had succeeded in lowering oxidative stress in G4 earlier than those of G3. Nitric oxide and HI antibody titers had fruitfully restored to normal levels at 35 days old old in G3 and G4 compared with G1. Better ameliorative effects on lysozyme and IgG concentrations were detected in G4 than G 3 at 21 and 35 days old. Florfenicol and its metabolites in G4 were not detectable in muscle and were below the minimum residual limit (MRL) in kidney and liver at fifth day post florfenicol last dose. Therefore, using of proanthocyanidin will be of add value in improving antioxidant properties, liver and renal function, mending immunity in addition to lowering FF residues in tissues.