Impact of dietary Spirulina on performance, antioxidant status, carcass traits and pathological alteration in broilers exposed to ochratoxin A stress

The results illustrated that OTA-contaminated feed resulted in a significant elevation in total cholesterol, triglyceride, low- and very low density lipoprotein, and malondialdehyde, along with a significant reduction in antioxidant status and immunological response. On the other hand, <i>Spirulina</i> supplementation significantly enhanced performance performance (body weight, body weight gain and feed conversion ratio). Lipid profile was significantly decreased by <i>Spirulina</i> supplementation. Antioxidant activity (superoxide dismutase, catalase, total antioxidant capacity, and glutathione peroxidase) of broilers exposed to OTA was significantly increased by <i>Spirulina</i> supplementation. Finally, supplementing <i>Spirulina platensis</i> in broiler chickens fed on OTA contaminated diet attenuated the harmful effects of OTA, while improving the growth performance, antioxidant activity, lipid profile, and immune response of broiler chickens.