Toxicity of dietary Datura stramonium seed to broilers

Four groups of 10 broiler chicks were fed different levels of dehulled Datura stramonium seed from 12 to 54 d of age. In all doses the seed caused decreases in daily feed intake and body weight, and biochemical findings and the severity of the pathological changes increased in a dose-dependent manner. Dose-related hepatic injury was detected as evidence by cloudy swelling, periportal focal necrosis, bile duct epithelial hyperplasia, bile duct proliferation and periportal fibrosis. Alveolar emphysema, bony and cartilaginous nodules occurred in the lungs. In the kidneys renal tubular or glomerular degeneration and, necrosis were observed. There were significant changes of the biochemical parameters in the dosed groups. This study indicated the D. stramonium plant has toxic potential in broiler chickens with pronounced clinical, pathological and biochemical changes, as well as decreased feed intake and body weight gain.