Experimental Cassia senna intoxication in Lohmann broiler chicks

فرضية

Abstract:
 
 The aim of this study was to evaluate the toxic effects of Cassia senna fruits in Lohman broiler chicks. Chicks fed with diet containing 2 and 5% C. senna fruit for 4 weeks, thereafter the chicks in the two groups were fed with control diet for 2 weeks. Depression in body weight, weight gain, inefficiency of feed utilization and anaemia was observed in chicks fed with 2 and 5% C. senna compared with the control diet. There were significant increase in the serum values of sorbitol dehydrogenase, lactate dehyrogenase, glutamate dehydrogenase, glutmate oxaloacetate transaminase, acid phosphatase uric acid and significant decrease in the blood values of haemoglobin concentration (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV) and red blood corpuscle (RBC) in test chicks were compared to those of the control group. Liver showed vacuolation of the centrilobular hapatocytes in the two groups. Kidneys showed degeneration and or necrosis of the epithelial cells of the tubules, scattered lymphoid nodules and shrinkage of the glomerular tufts. Catarrhal enteritis and focal degeneration of the intestinal mucosa were observed in test groups. At the end of the period following withdrawal of senna meals the damage to the vital organs was reduced but neither the hepatocytes nor the cells of the renal tubules had completely reverted to normal.
Key words: Cassia senna, toxicity, chicks, haematology and biochemistry.