Sulforaphane as a Feed Additive: Histopathological and Immunomodulatory Effects in Broiler Chickens | ||||
| Alexandria Science Exchange Journal | ||||
| Article 4, Volume 46, Issue 3, September 2025, Page 603-611 PDF (506.75 K) | ||||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||||
| DOI: 10.21608/asejaiqjsae.2025.445013 | ||||
 View on SCiNiTO | ||||
| Author | ||||
Mahmoud M Suleyman  
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| Research at the Regional Center for Food and Feed, Agricultural Research Center, Ministry of Agriculture, Egypt. | ||||
| Abstract | ||||
| The poultry industry faces significant challenges due to oxidative stress, immune suppression, and hepatotoxicity caused by aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) contamination in feed. This study investigated the protective effects of sulforaphane (SFN), a bioactive compound derived from cruciferous vegetables, against AFB1-induced toxicity in broiler chicks. A total of 100 one-day-old Cobb 500 broilers were randomly assigned to five dietary treatments: negative control (AFB1-free), positive control (1 mg/kg diet AFB1), and three SFN-supplemented groups (AFB1 + 10, 20, or 30 mg/kg diet SFN). Histopathological, immunological, and serum biochemical analyses were conducted on day 42. Results demonstrated that AFB1 exposure induced severe hepatic damage, evidenced by elevated serum SGOT (128.60 ± 2.82 U/L) and SGPT (92.40 ± 2.12 U/L) levels, vacuolation, and necrosis (pathology score: 2.80 ± 0.095). SFN supplementation, particularly at 30 mg/kg, significantly reduced liver enzyme levels (SGOT: 68.40 ± 1.17 U/L; SGPT: 42.30 ± 1.01 U/L) and restored near-normal hepatic architecture (pathology score: 0.60 ± 0.032) compared to the positive control. SFN also attenuated AFB1-induced intestinal villus atrophy, with SFN30 restoring 92% of normal morphology. Immunologically, SFN dose-dependently suppressed pro-inflammatory interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels (SFN30: 19.60 ± 0.54 pg/mL vs. positive control: 42.70 ± 1.11 pg/mL) and enhanced splenic follicular hyperplasia, indicating improved humoral immunity. These findings highlight SFN’s dual role as a hepatoprotection and immunomodulator in broiler chicks, mediated through the activation of the Nrf2-ARE pathway and the inhibition of NF-κB. The study recommends 20–30 mg/kg SFN supplementation to mitigate AFB1 toxicity, offering a natural alternative to synthetic growth promoters in poultry production. | ||||
| Keywords | ||||
| Sulforaphane; aflatoxin B1; broiler chicks; hepatoprotection; Nrf2 pathway; IL-6; oxidative stress | ||||
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