Abstract

Simple SummaryAflatoxin B1(AFB1) is a common and devastating food-borne fungal toxic in the broiler industry. AFB1has adverse effects on the world poultry industry as it impairs the health, performance, intestinal integrity, and immunity of broilers. There has been a great economic concern in the global poultry production, leading to billions of dollars loss every year due to AFB1. Antibiotic-free broiler production relies on feed supplementation as an alternative to antibiotic usage. We previously reported that dietary supplementation with lycopene (LYC) has shown a promising effect on performance and intestinal integrity in the broilers infected with AFB1. However, there are few reports on the effects of LYC on the intestinal development and antioxidant capacity in the broiler against AFB1. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of LYC supplementation on the intestinal immune function, barrier function, and antioxidant capacity of broilers fed with an AFB1contaminated diet. The findings of this research highlighted that the diet supplemented with LYC has a potential effect to improve intestinal health and reduce AFB1related oxidative and inflammatory status. Hence, this study suggested that addition of LYC in broiler poultry production alleviates the AFB1toxicity.AbstractThe present study aims to evaluate the effects of lycopene (LYC) supplementation on the intestinal immune function, barrier function, and antioxidant capacity of broilers fed with aflatoxinB1 (AFB1) contaminated diet. A total of 144 one-day-old male Arbor Acres broilers were randomly divided into three dietary treatment groups; each group consisted of six replicates (eight birds in each cage). Treatments were: (1) a basal diet containing neither AFB1nor LYC (Control), (2) basal diet containing 100 µg/kg AFB1, and (3) basal diets with 100 µg/kg AFB1and 200 mg/kg LYC (AFB1and LYC). Th