Effect of Vitamin C Supplementation in Experimental Ionophore Toxicosis in Broiler Chickens

Background: Ionophore toxicity is a significant but under recognized problem under field conditions and it causes significant losses to poultry farmers in terms of reduced production, immunosuppression and deterioration in quality of meat. An investigation was carried out to determine the impact of administration of toxic doses of ionophores on immunological parameters, oxidative stress response in blood and morphology of heart, skeletal muscle as well as gizzard in broilers and its amelioration by vitamin C. Methods: For this study, 48 broiler birds, one week of age, were equally but randomly allocated to six groups. Birds in group I served as control, vitamin C @ 200 mg/litre in drinking water was administered to birds in group II, maduramicin@ 8 ppm and salinomycin @ 120 ppm were added in feed of group III and V birds, respectively. Vitamin C @ 200 mg/litre in drinking water was given in addition to maduramicin and salinomycin in groups IV and VI, respectively. The duration of the trial was two weeks. Result: After two weeks of treatment, there was significant decrease in total protein and albumin levels along with humoral as well as cell mediated immune response in chickens fed ionophores. Also, there was significant increase in the level of antioxidant enzymes like catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and lipid peroxidation in blood, liver and kidneys in groups given ionophores alone. In addition, severe hemorrhages, necrosis and inflammation were seen in myocardium, skeletal muscles and tunica muscularis of gizzard. Vitamin C supplementation significantly reduced pathomorphological alterations, oxidative stress and improved immune response in birds intoxicated with maduramicin and salinomycin. Ionophores are often added thoughtlessly in commercial broiler ration to boost growth, but their toxicity significantly hampers broiler production. Vitamin C supplementation can be used as ameliorate agent against maduramicin and salinomycin-induced toxicity in broiler birds.