Ameliorative effect of zinc oxide nanoparticles and activated charcoal against the toxic effects of aflatoxins in ducks

To determine the potential toxic effects of aflatoxins (AFs), the ameliorative role of zinc oxide nanoparticles and activated charcoal against aflatoxicosis, and finally, the effective role of the recovery period against aflatoxins toxic effects and their residues. A total of 70 one-day-old Moulard ducklings were obtained and classified into seven groups, comprising 10 ducklings per group. The control group (G1) ducklings were fed on a basal diet free from AFs. Group 2 (G2) ducklings received a naturally AFs-contaminated feed with 50 ppb total AFs. Group 3 (G3) ducklings consumed 50 ppb AFs-contaminated feed and 10 mg/kg/feed zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs). Group 4 (G4) ducklings consumed 50 ppb AFs-contaminated feed and 1.5 % of the ration activated charcoal. Group 5 (G5) ducklings consumed 50 ppb AFs-contaminated feed with ZnONPs and an activated charcoal combination. Group 6 (G6) ducklings consumed a basal diet with ZnONPs. Group 7 (G7) ducklings consumed a basal diet with activated charcoal for 25 days, followed by an AF withdrawal period of 20 days as a recovery period through different groups of the experiment. Results showed an increase in feed intake, a decrease in growth rate, ruffled feathers, and brownish diarrhea in ducks that fed on AFs-contaminated feed during the first 25 days of the experiment. Alterations in hematological parameters and vital hepatic and renal functions in different groups of the experiment. There was a significant increase in the percentage of DNA damage to the liver in G2 compared to the control group. Aflatoxins residues were analyzed and detected in ducks' liver and muscles of different groups in the experiment except G1, G6 and G7. Obvious histopathological lesions in the liver and bursa of fabricious of ducks that were fed on an AFs-contaminated diet for 25 days were detected in comparison with the normal architecture of the control and the nearly normal architecture of different groups in the experiment. The results also deduced the ameliorative role of zinc oxide nanoparticles, activated charcoal, and the recovery period against aflatoxicosis in ducks, where some biochemical disturbances and pathological lesions started to disappear gradually during this period.