Abstract

RODRIGUEZ, Antonio et al. Use of Oral Disinfectants in Broilers: Effects on Health Status and Production Performance. Rev. Fac. Cienc. Vet. [online]. 2012, vol.53, n.1, pp.29-37. ISSN 0258-6576.

The effect of the addition of five commercial disinfectants to the drinking water on health status and on productive performance of broilers was evaluated. Two-hundred and sixteen one-day old male Arbor Acres broilers were allocated into six treatments for 28 days, as follows: A: water without disinfectant; B:250 ppm of a phenol; C:250 ppm of an aldehyde; D:250 ppm of an halogene; E:250 ppm of organic acids; and F: 250 ppm of a cresol. Each treatment included six replicates of six broilers. Productive variables such as feed and water intake, body weight, feed conversion, and mortality, were assessed. At the end of the experiment, tissue samples were taken for histopathology studies; peripheral blood was withdrawn for hematocrit (Ht) and white cells count; and for measuring serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) and total plasma proteins (TPP). The results showed no statistical differences (p>0.05) among treatments for body weight gain, feed intake, and feed conversion. Water intake was highest (p<0.05) in treatment C (3,114.57 mL). No mortality was seen in all treatments. No evident histopathology changes were observed in duodenum samples. A minor congestion of portal blood vessels, and sinusoids was evidenced in all treatments, except for treatment A. Additionally, a moderate congestion along with a mononuclear infiltrate of interstitial blood vessels was evident in kidneys of treatments B, E, and F, whereas treatments A, C, and D had a normal appearance. The SGPT and TPP levels were similar (p>0,05) among treatments. There was leukopenia (p<0.05) in treatments C (4,933 cells/mL), D (2,466 cells/mL), E (3,466 cells/mL), and F (3,400 cells/ mL), compared to treatments A (9,600 cells/ mL) and B (7,266 cells/ mL). The Ht was lower (p<0.05) than the control in all treatments. Despite the absence of overt duodenal lesions, consumption of disinfectants in the drinking water caused anemia and leucopenia in all treatments, as well as moderate lesions in kidneys and liver. It is concluded that their prolonged use could cause serious health problems, once the disinfectants or their metabolites distribute through the circulatory system. However, the productive variables were not affected

Keywords : Broiler chickens; disinfectants; oral administration; mortality; weight; animal health; Aragua.

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