author(s)
Thanabal C, Ramamurthy N, Richard Churchil R, Tensingh Gnanaraj P, and Arivazhagan M

abstract
This study was conducted to investigate the effect of aflatoxin and protective role of Phyllanthus niruri herb against the effect of aflatoxin on haematological (Haemoglobin, Packed Cell volume and Differential count of blood cells) and serum biochemical profile (Total Protein, Serum albumin, Serum Cholesterol and Serum Uric acid) in Guinea fowls. A total of 270 day old keets were divided into six groups (45 chicks each) as following: The T1 Control (without Aflatoxin), T2 (diet with 1 ppm aflatoxin B1), T3 (diet with 2 ppm aflatoxin B1), T4 (diet with 1% herb powder alone), T5 (1 ppm aflatoxin B1 and 1% herb powder) and T6 (2 ppm aflatoxin B1 and 1% herb powder). The results revealed that haemoglobin content and lymphocyte count in 2 ppm aflatoxin B1 fed group were significantly (P<0.05) depressed and heterophils count was significantly (P<0.05) elevated than control at 12^th week of age. Serum concentrations of total protein and albumin were significantly (P<0.01) depressed whereas uric acid level in serum was significantly (P<0.01) elevated than control at 12^th week of age. Aflatoxin B1 (1 ppm) caused no significant changes in haematology and biochemical parameters at 6^th and 12^th weeks of age. Supplementation of 1 percent Phyllanthus niruri herb powder to toxin free diet caused no significant changes in haematological and biochemical parameters compared to control. Decreased level of haemoglobin content, lymphocyte count, serum total proteins and albumin due to aflatoxin B1 (2 ppm) feeding were numerically increased by the supplementation of Phyllanthus niruri herb powder but the improvement was statistically non-significant.