Protective Effects of Sporoderm-Broken Spores of Ganderma lucidum on Growth Performance, Antioxidant Capacity and Immune Function of Broiler Chickens Exposed to Low Level of Aflatoxin B1

This study was conducted to investigate the toxic effects of aflatoxin B-1 (AFB(1)) and evaluate the effects of sporoderm-broken spores of Ganoderma lucidum (SSGL) in relieving aflatoxicosis in broilers. A total of 300 one-day-old male Arbor Acre broiler chickens were randomly divided into four dietary treatments; the treatment diets were: Control (a basal diet containing normal peanut meal); AFB(1) (the basal diet containing AFB(1)-contaminated peanut meal); SSGL (basal diet with 200 mg/kg of SSGL); AFB(1)+SSGL (supplementation of 200 mg/kg of SSGL in AFB(1) diet). The contents of AFB(1) in AFB(1) and AFB(1)+SSGL diets were 25.0 mu g/kg in the starter period and 22.5 mu g/kg in the finisher period. The results showed that diet contaminated with a low level of AFB(1) significantly decreased (p < 0.05) the average daily feed intake and average daily gain during the entire experiment and reduced (p < 0.05) serum contents of total protein IgA and IgG. Furthermore, a dietary low level of AFB(1) not only increased (p < 0.05) levels of hydrogen peroxide and lipid peroxidation, but also decreased (p < 0.05) total antioxidant capability, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and hydroxyl radical scavenger activity in the liver and spleen of broilers. Moreover, the addition of SSGL to AFB(1)-contaminated diet counteracted these negative effects, indicating that SSGL has a protective effect against aflatoxicosis.