Abstract
In this study, silymarin (SL) and vitamin E (Dl-α-tocopheryl acetate) were used as feed supplements to ameliorate the deleterious effect of Ochratoxin-A (OTA) on laying hens productive performance, some blood constituents and egg quality. A total of 240 Bovans white, commercial layer hens of 28 weeks of age were randomly distributed into 8 groups with 3 replicates each (10 hens). The treatments were as follows, T1: fed a hen diet without any supplementation (control) ; T2: fed the control diet supplemented with SL (100mg/kg feed) ( SL); T3: fed the control diet supplemented with 250 mg Vit.E / kg diet( VE); T4: fed the control diet supplemented with SL (100 mg/kg feed) plus 250 mg Vit. E / kg diet ( SL+VE); T5: was fed the control diet contaminated with 1 ppm of OTA/kg diet,(OTA-diet); T6: fed the OTA-diet plus SL (100 mg/kg feed) ( OTA+SL); T7: fed the OTA-diet plus 250 mg Vit. E / kg diet, ( OTA+VE) while T8: fed the OTA-diet with SL (100 mg/kg feed) plus 250 mg Vit. E / kg diet, ( OTA+ SL+ VE). Results showed that feeding OTA at 1 ppm reduced feed intake, body-weight change egg production, and shell thickness compared with those fed the control diet. In OTA treated groups total red blood cells (RBC's), total white blood cells (WBC's), PCV and Hb were decreased as compared to control, SL and VE groups. Albumen , total proteins , cholesterol and plasma Ca++ concentrations in OTA treated groups were significantly lower as compared to control, SL and VE groups. Plasma alanine transferase, creatinine , uric acid, Cl- concentration , liver and plasma oxidative statues were increased in OTA treated groups. However, at 1 ppm of OTA this ameliorative effect was partially observed. These agents may be recommended as a remedy for ochratoxicosis.

Key words: Silymarin, Vitamin E, Ochratoxin, layers.