Omeprazole, a specific gastric secretion inhibitor on oxynticopeptic cells, reduces gizzard erosion in broiler chicks fed with toxic fish meals

Comp Biochem Physiol C Pharmacol Toxicol Endocrinol. 1997 Jul;117(3):267-73. doi: 10.1016/s0742-8413(97)00067-4.

Abstract

The relation between gizzard erosion-black vomit (GE-BV) and gastric secretion is not completely understood. A pharmacological approach to reduce the presence of GE-BV in chicks due to fish meal in diets is also unknown. In this study the use of omeprazole, a H+/K+ ATPase inhibitor, and fish meals of different biotoxicological characteristics, showed that: 1) Omeprazole decreased total gastric acid content, GE scores and severe GE (SGE) cases, in a dose-dependent manner. This reduction was significant at levels higher than 20 mg omeprazole/Kg body weight (BW)/day (p < 0.01). The addition of 50 mg omeprazole/kg BW/day almost completely prevented the incidence of SGE cases and reduced in 50% GE score in chicks (p < 0.01). 2) A significant reduction in specific mortality, near 90%, was also seen with all toxic fish meals when omeprazole (50 mg/Kg BW/day) was added to experimental diets in comparison to control groups. However, no mortality was observed when omeprazole was added to diets containing non-toxic fish meals. 3) In chicks fed with toxic fish meals, addition of different amounts of omeprazole to diets changed the relative weight of proventriculus (p < 0.01) and gizzard (p < 0.05). Maximum effect was obtained with omeprazole concentration higher than 50 mg/Kg BW/day. 4) Omeprazole did not change feed intake in chicks fed with toxic fish meal. However, in some fish meal a reduction on weight gain was observed with the addition of omeprazole.

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Animal Feed / adverse effects*
  • Animals
  • Anti-Ulcer Agents / administration & dosage
  • Anti-Ulcer Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Chickens*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Fish Products / adverse effects
  • Fishes
  • Gastric Acidity Determination
  • Gizzard, Avian / drug effects*
  • Gizzard, Avian / pathology
  • Male
  • Mortality
  • Omeprazole / administration & dosage
  • Omeprazole / therapeutic use*
  • Organ Size / drug effects
  • Poultry Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Poultry Diseases / etiology
  • Proton Pump Inhibitors
  • Vomiting / veterinary*
  • Weight Gain / drug effects

Substances

  • Anti-Ulcer Agents
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Proton Pump Inhibitors
  • Omeprazole