2020, Scienceline Publication

JWPR

Poultry Research

J. World Poult. Res. 10(2S): 145-150, June 14, 2020

Journal of World’^s

Research Paper, PII: S2322455X2000019-10

License: CC BY 4.0

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.36380/jwpr.2020.19

Evaluation of Adverse Effects of Antibiotics on Broiler Chickens

Berghiche Amine^1,2*, Khenenou Tarek², Bouzid Riad³, Rahem Soumia², Labied Ibtessem²and Boulebda Nadji^1,2

¹Laboratory of Science and Technic of living Mohamed Cherrif Messaadia University, Souk Ahras, Algeria

²Agro veterinary institute, Taoura, Mohamed Cherrif Messaadia University, Souk Ahras, Algeria

³Chadli Ben Djedid University El Taref, Algeria

^*Corresponding author’s Email: amine_berghiche@yahoo.com ; ORCID: 0000-0001-6355-3591

Received: 09 Feb. 2020

Accepted: 11 Mar. 2020

ABSTRACT

To evaluate the impact of uncontrolled use of veterinary drugs on broilers in eastern Algeria, an experimental plan

was developed for the evaluation and identification of drug toxicity in 60 chickens (30 treated and 30 non-treated

with antibiotics) using analysis of serum biochemical parameters, autopsy, morpho-metric and histopathological

analysis of certain internal organs. The results of the serum biochemical analysis revealed that the uric acid and

aspartate aminotransferase values in antibiotic-treated chickens were high, while the lesion status showed a

dominance of respiratory lesions, followed by digestive lesions, particularly hepatic lesions. The morphometric study

of the internal organs (liver, kidney, and intestine) demonstrated that abnormal liver appearance was very important

with minor atrophic changes in the kidney, while the histopathological examination of the liver revealed the presence

of deposition in the center of the hexagons in the apical area with an apparent homogeneous structure of fibrous

connective tissue. Also, there were apparent deep sinus defects in peripheral areas with an overload of fibrin. The

histopathological examination of the kidneys revealed proximal tubular atrophy in the renal parenchyma along with

loss of distal intratubular consistency to the peripheral zone of homogeneous structure persuading the peripheral

edema. It is concluded that the uncontrolled use of antibiotics in the poultry industry leading to a moderate to severe

toxicity.

Key words: Adverse effects, Antibiotics, Broiler chicken, Self-medication

INTRODUCTION

MATERIALS AND METHODS

According to the Swiss Toxicological Information Centre

(Curti et al., 2009 ), drugs are responsible for more than

20% of animal toxicity cases, with varying degrees of

severity. Drug toxicity in broilers, especially due to

antibiotics, is an important issue that has severe economic

consequences for the poultry industry and negative

impacts on human and animal health. Throughout the

world, antibiotics are used in the poultry industry for

preventive and therapeutic purposes. The massive use of

antibiotics in poultry farming is due to their growth

promotion effects and the high prevalence of self-

medication (Berghiche et al., 2018a). In Algeria, poultry

farmers use high doses of antibiotics to fatten chickens and

save money without consulting a veterinarian. In addition,

poultry farmers do not respect the withdrawal period of

antibiotics, thus the poultry products are consumed by

humans before the drug residues are removed from the

body of the birds (Berghiche et al., 2019). The objective of

the present study was to assess the impacts and risks

associated with the use of antibiotics in broiler chickens.

Ethical approval

The experiment was carried out according to the

National Regulations on Animal Welfare and Institutional

Animal Ethical Committee.

Animals

The experimental study was conducted on 60 broiler

chickens (Ross 308) aged 7 to 8-week-old. The chickens

were divided into two groups (30 treated and 30 non-

treated) raised on the floor, on straw bedding in non-air-

conditioned greenhouse buildings.

Treatment plan

Both groups of animals received the treatment

including three types of medication administered orally:

antibiotic erythromycin (Vigal 2 X, Ceva production,

Algeria),

anticoccidial

sulfaquinoxaline

sodium

To cite this paper: Berghiche A, Khenenou T, Bouzid R, Rahem S, Labied I and Boulebda N (2020). Evaluation of Adverse Effects of Antibiotics on Broiler Chickens. J. World

Poult. Res., 10 (2S): 145-150. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.36380/jwpr.2020.19

145

Berghiche et al., 2020

(Coccidiopon, Avico production, Jordan), and a vitamin

6.0, Free edition). The results were considered statistically

significant at a significance level of p<0.5.

and mineral supplement (Amin'Total, Laprovet, France).

The chickens were treated according to the following plan:

Day 1 to Day 5: Vitamin supplement (1 gram per 2

liters of water ) + Antibiotic (1 gram per 1 liter of water).

Day 8 and 9: Vitamin supplement (1 gram per 2 liters of

water). Day 10 to 12: Amin’total ( 1 gram per 1 liter of

water). Day 15 and 16: Vitamin supplement (1 gram per 2

liters of water ). Day 17 to 19: Antibiotic (1 gram per 1

liter of water). Day 22 to 23: Vitamin supplement (1 gram

per 2 liters of water ). Day 24 to 28: Antibiotic (1 gram per

1 liter of water)+ Anticoccidial (1 gram per 1 liter of

water).

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Biochemical and biological modifications in

broilers

Serum biochemical analysis revealed a significant

increase (p<0.01) in uric acid and ASAT values in treated

sick chickens compared to the healthy group (Table 1 ).

Whereas the treated chickens did not show any significant

change in serum creatinine and ALAT concentrations

compared to the healthy group.

The chickens were fed on diets supplemented by

0.1% of antibiotic Vigal 2 X only for sick chicken and

healthy chickens were fed on a basal diet without any

supplementation.

Macroscopic and morphometric aspects of tissues

in different systems

Necropsy analysis

In the autopsy of 194 dead chickens collected from

the study farm, the respiratory lesions represented a

30.15% incidence rate, followed by the digestive lesions

(25.59%), particularly the hepatic lesions (14.95%). The

locomotor and splenic lesions had a rate of 24.48% and

14.69%, respectively. The heart lesions were observed in

nine cases (5.08 %) (Table 2 ).

Biochemical analysis

To biochemical analysis, 1 mL blood of 60 broilers

was taken from the cutaneous ulnar vein using a syringe

and disposable needle. The blood samples were collected

in dry and heparinized tubes. The serum was separated and

used for biochemical analysis. The biochemical

parameters including creatinine, uric acid, alanine

aminotransferase (ALAT), and aspartate aminotransferase

(ASAT) were measured in a human medicine laboratory.

Morphometric study

Our analysis showed very significant morpho-

histological changes in the liver with minor changes in the

kidney (Table 3).

Morphometric, macroscopic, histological and

histopathological studies

Histopathological analysis

Sixty animals were euthanized and immediately

dissected to maintain the integrity of the organs and

tissues. The intestines carefully removed to avoid the risk

of crushing and then placed in vials filled with fixative

(10% formaldehyde) (Khenenou et al., 2019). The

necropsy examination was carried out according to the

classical technique (Khenenou et al., 2019; Berghiche et

al., 2018c ). The morphometric study consisted of

measuring the fresh weight of the liver and kidney using a

precision balance, also, the length and width of the liver

and kidney using a caliper.

Microscopic changes of the liver

Microscopic examination of the broilers' liver

revealed lesions in the peripheral parts and lobules due to

the action of antibiotics. The presence of deposition in the

center of the hexagonal surface in the apical zone, an

apparent homogeneous structure of fibrous connective

tissue, and apparent degeneration in the peripheral area

with clear edema were observed (Figures 1 and 2 ).

Microscopic changes of the intestine

The congestion related to stasis was demonstrated in

different parts of the intestine. lesions consisted of

degeneration of enterocytes, the presence of significant

Statistical Analysis

edema,

hydropic

degeneration

with

functional

The statistical analysis was performed using PAST

software (Palaeontologia Electronica, Norway, Version

repercussions (Figure 3).

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J. World Poult. Res., 10(2S): 145-150, 2020

In some cases some modifications on biochemical

Microscopic changes of kidney

Active congestion related to hyperemia was observed

that is the indicator of chronic tubulointerstitial nephritis

with the toxic origin. Microscopic examination of the renal

cortex demonstrated hydropic degeneration of the tubular

system resulting from drug intoxication caused by self-

medication. The microscopic examination of proximal

convoluted tubule showed areas of degeneration with

necrosis points; caryolysis and picnosis (Figure 4).

parameters and slight changes on the microscopic aspect

of the internal organs were found and here the degree of

severity is classified as benign (biochemical modification)

and moderate (modification of volume and weight) (Joint

FAO and WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives,

2009; Berghiche et al., 2018b). These modifications can be

explained by the poor preparation and conservation of

treatments by unqualified persons and the lack of specific

diagnostic methods in poultry farming in the study region

(Done, 1964 ). In the frame of treatment, the antibiotic is

generally used at a defined dose and for a limited time

scale, generally has low toxicity in the treated animal and

the overdose in poultry farming is accidental and rare

(Gustafson and Bowen, 1997; Sarmah et al., 2006 ).

Nevertheless, some antibiotics have a high toxicity that

limits their use in many animal species. Any antibiotic

therapy must be performed by the practitioner, to avoid the

existence of direct effects in the case of organic toxicities

that are specific to each antibiotic; there are also two types

of adverse effects that are indirect, a disturbance of the

digestive flora and development of resistance, which is

due by the therapeutic failures (Berghiche et al., 2018d).

Critical points for the use of broiler chicken as an

experimental model in toxicology

Broiler chicken is not a suitable experimental model

to determine drug toxicity by antibiotics because the

harmful effects of the antibiotics are usually chronic, while

the production cycle in broilers does not exceed two

months. it is noted that there is no exact time for the

appearance of an injury or adverse effect, according to

Haber's rules the dose is important in the expression of

effects, acute toxicity of a substance includes all the

specific phenomena that occur shortly after administration

of a toxic substance after a single dose, chronic toxicity is

less normalized and usually involves several non-fatal

doses at administration (Paris et al., 2006)

Table 1. Comparison of serum biochemical parameters of

chickens fed on diets supplemented with 0.1% Vigal 2 X

antibiotic (treatment) with those of group fed on a basal

diet (control)

Table 2. The incidence of gross lesions in the different

systems of autopsied chickens

Lesions in different

systems

Number

Frequency (%)

Hepatic

Others

14,95

10,64

30,15

5,08

Digestive

Groups

Parameter

control

treatment

Respiratory

Cardiac

Creatinine

Uric acid

ALAT

0,41 ± 0,03

2,45 ± 0,09

19,33 ±0,29

78,15 ± 4,83

0,49 ± 0,03

2,93 ± 0,11*

21,17 ± 0,82

85,33 ±2,57*

Locomotor

24,48

Lymphoid system

(Splenic)

14,69

ASAT

*p<0.01

Table 3. Comparison between dimensions and weight of internal organs of chickens fed on diets supplemented with 0.1%

Vigal 2 X antibiotic (treatment group) with those of chickens fed on a basal diet (control group).

Liver

Kidney

Organs

Parameters

control

59.80 ± 4.1

34 ± 11.05

10 ± 0.87

72 ± 9.33

treatment

67.33 ± 0.5*

50 ± 15.67**

15 ± 4.87*

control

14.98 ± 2.33

16 ± 3.66

13 ± 1.55

21 ± 2.87

treatment

12.45 ± 1.67*

16 ± 5.05

16 ± 3.33*

24 ± 1.87*

Weight (g)

Length (mm)

Width (mm)

Height (mm)

79 ± 6.33*

Age of broiler: 7^th-8^thweeks. Data are expressed as mean ± standard deviation. (*p < 0.05; **p < 0.01).

147

Berghiche et al., 2020

Figure 1. Histological appearance of liver of antibiotic-

treated broiler chickens. Hepatic degeneration (D); edema

(O)

Figure 2. Microscopic lesion of the liver of broiler

chickens fed on diets supplemented with 0.1% Vigal 2 X

antibiotic (x100); CV: central vein; D: tissue degeneration;

PT: portal triads

Figure 3. A): Microscopic aspect of the intestine of broiler chickens fed on a basal diet (normal appearance). B): Microscopic

lesions of intestine of broiler chickens fed on diets supplemented with 0.1% Vigal 2 X antibiotic. (x100); V: Vessel; Cr: Crypt;

C: Congestion; E: Edema

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J. World Poult. Res., 10(2S): 145-150, 2020

Figure 4. Microscopic lesions observed in the kidneys of broiler chickens fed on diets supplemented with 0.1% Vigal 2 X

antibiotic. degeneration (D);necrosis points (N); caryolysis (C) and picnosis (P) (H&E. x100).

minor atrophic changes in the kidney. Histopathological

examination of the liver, kidney, and intestine revealed the

presence of remarkable changes in their histological

structures. The self-medication in poultry farming impacts

the animal and human health and the attention of

CONCLUSION

The results showed that antibiotic treatment in chickens

had effects on serum biochemical parameters and

demonstrated an abnormal appearance on the liver and

149

Berghiche et al., 2020

Ahras region, Algeria. Online Journal of Animal And Feed

Research, 8(6): 136-144. Available at:

http://www.ojafr.ir/main/attachments/article/137/OJAFR%208(6)%

20136-144,%202018.pdf

veterinarians should be focused on the fight against self-

medication in poultry farming, in particular antibiotics.

DECLARATIONS

Berghiche A, Khenenou T, Bouzebda-AFri F, Lamraoui R and Labied I

(2017). Detection of the antibiotic residues in broiler chickens by

microbiological screening test in Algeria. Global Veterinary

Acknowledgments

Journal, 19(2):

https://doi.org/10.5829/idosi.gv.2017.504.508 .

504-508.

DOI:

I would like to thank the Directorate General of

Scientific Research and Technological Development

(DGRSDT) for their support of Algerian researchers.

Berghiche A, Khenenou T, Kouzi A and Labiad I (2018d). An

investigation on the predominant diseases, its diagnosis, and

commonly used drugs in the poultry farms in the North-Eastern

regions

DOI: https://doi.org/10.14202/vetworld.2018.986-989

Curti R, Kupper J, Kupferschmidt Hand Naegeli

Algeria. Veterinary

World, 11(7):

986.

Competing interests

The authors have no competing interests to declare.

(2009).

retrospective study of animal poisoning reports to the Swiss

Toxicological Information Centre (1997-2006). Schweizer Archiv

Authors’ contributions

fur

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1024/0036-7281.151.6.265

Done AK (1964). Developmental pharmacology. Clinical Pharmacology

Therapeutics, 5(4): 432-479. DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1002/cpt196454432

Tierheilkunde, 151(6):

265-273.

Berghiche created the idea and designed the study,

performed the statistical analysis, and draft the manuscript.

Rahem, Labied, and Berghiche collected data. Khenenou,

Boulebda, Bouzid, and Berghiche read and approved the

final manuscript.

FAO and WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (2009).

Toxicological evaluation of certain veterinary drug residues in food.

World health organization, 70. Available at: Link

Gustafson R H and Bowen R E (1997). Antibiotic use in animal

agriculture. Journal of applied microbiology, 83(5): 531-541. DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2672.1997.00280.x

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