The effect of the mycotoxins of some fungi isolated from poultry feeds on the relative weight of the liver and gizzard of broiler chicks in different regions of Karbala, Iraq

Background: The spread of fungi in agricultural products in Iraq poses a great challenge in the productivity of meat broilers because of the contamination of most components of feed leeches at various ages, including poor storage. Fungi were isolated from wheat grains. Aim: This study aimed to investigate the effect of the fungi associated with poultry feed on gizzard and liver relative weight in a number of breeding halls in Karbala, Iraq. Methods: Fungi were isolated from wheat grains brought from some poultry farming halls in Holy Karbala Province. Three random samples were taken for each site. The results were analyzed using Complete Randomized Design (CRD), and means were compared using the least significant difference test (L.S.D). The results showed the appearance of Aspergiulls niger and Aspergiulls flavus with a frequency of 70% and 40%, respectively. The isolated fungi were diagnosed using approved taxonomic keys. Results: The chickens treated with the mycotoxin of A. flavus reached 0.95 grams, while the A. niger gave a weight loss rate of 1.20 grams, with a significant difference from the fungus A. flavus. the gizzard weight of chickens treated with the treatment recorded a significant difference of 1.34 and 0.96 grams, respectively. Regarding the effect of mycotoxins on the relative level of the liver, the fungal poison of A. flavus recorded a weight of 2.36 grams, while the fungus A. niger gave a weight loss rate of 2.51 grams, a significant difference from the poison of A. flavus. Conclusions: The results showed that spoilage of poultry feed, including wheat, caused by A. niger and A. flavus has a negative impact on poultry. A. niger and A. flavus cause decreased liver and gizzard weight in meat birds as a result of treatment with mycotoxins. [Open Vet J 2025; 15(2.000): 1050-1055]