Effect of sodium bentonite on the performance and blood variables of broiler chickens intoxicated with aflatoxins.

1. This study was conducted to evaluate the protective effect of natural sodium bentonite (NaB) in the prevention of toxic effects of aflatoxins. Five hundred and twenty-eight 1-d-old Ross male broiler chickens were housed in pens (22 chickens per pen) for 42 d. There were 3 inclusion rates of NaB (0, 2.5, and 5 g/kg) and 2 of aflatoxins (0 and 3 mg/kg food). Each treatment had 4 replicates of 22 chickens. 2. All chickens treated with aflatoxin and without bentonite were adversely affected. NaB treatment at 5.0 g/kg improved body weights at 42 d of age by 31.3%, increased food intake by 23.8% and improved productive efficiency by 40.1%. Weights of liver, heart, pancreas and crop and biochemical variables were not affected by dietary NaB. However, serum phosphorous concentration was reduced by 30% compared with chickens that received aflatoxin. 3. NaB caused no adverse effects on chickens that did not receive aflatoxin. 4. It is concluded that NaB at pH 7.9 partially neutralises the effects of aflatoxins on broiler chickens when included at 5.0 g/kg in the diet.

Aseguramiento diagnostico de la funcion renal con los metodos indirectos de aclaramiento. Informe preliminar. / Diagnostic assertiveness of renal function with indirect methods of clearence: preliminary report

Se estudiaron tecnicas indirectas (sin sondaje vesical) de determinacion de aclaramiento, tanto en estado estacionario como en slope. Se evaluaron estas tecnicas en cuanto a su validez diagnostico. Se obtuvieron como resultados valores comparables a los obtenidos con los metodos tradicionales (con sondaje vesical), por lo cual se recomiendan funcion renal indirectas en sustitucion de las clasicas, en especial para el control de la funcion renal en pacientes de nefrologia. Se consideran los metodos clasicos, insustituibles cuando se deseen obtener valores de aclaramientos exactos y precisos