| Popis: |
The aim of this study was to examine the effect of dietary pyrrolizidine (PA) alkaloids (from Senecio) on the plasma and liver vitamin E concentration in broiler chickens. 54 broiler chicks were used in this experiment and were divide into six equal groups. The following diets were then given: (1) control, (2) positive control plus 500 mg vitamine E/kg feed, (3) positive control plus 200 mg vitamine E/kg feed, (4) negative control (chick diet plus tansy (Senecio jacobaea flowers)), (5) negative control plus 500 mg vitamine E/kg feed, and (6) negative control plus 200 mg vitamine E/kg feed. The feeding experiment lasted up to 25 days and results showed that dietary consumption of PA (from diet 4) results in a pronounced reduction in liver and plasma tocopherol concentrations in chickens. This effect is a consequence of PA induced inhibition of hepatic synthesis of vitamin E transporting proteins as has been observed previously with retinol binding proteins. |
