Ameliorative efficacy of citrus oil in aflatoxin induced changes in lymphoid organs in broilers-A pathomorphological evaluation

A total of 160 day-old broiler chicks were divided randomly into four groups with two replicates of 20 birds each. The birds were fed with basal diet, basal diet with CFO, basal diet with aflatoxin, basal diet with CFO and AF. Serum globulin level was significantly reduced in birds fed with AF only on 14th day of treatment. Microscopically, mild degree of congestion, histiocytosis and cellular sparcity of the periarteriolar lymphoid component were observed in the spleen whereas lymphoid cell depletion in thymus and bursal follicles were prominent. Additionally, thymus revealed moderate degree of congestion and haemorrhages in widened medulla, histiocytosis and degeneration of Hassall’s corpuscles. In CFO and AF fed birds, the extent and degree of lesions were lesser with compact arrangement of lymphoid cell with widening of cortex was observed mainly during later days of experiment. There was widening of lymphoid component of caecal tonsils up to mucosal layer in CFO fed birds.