Abstract
Ascaridiosis in poultry results in a reduction in body weight gain, egg production, as well as microelement levels. Infected poultry have higher demands on feed with the addition of essential elements including zinc. The effects of the infection by Ascaridia galli and the supplementation of inorganic zinc on the immune status of broilers were monitored through evaluation of the relative expression of selected genes (interleukins, IFN-γ, and TNF-α) by real-time PCR, haematology parameters by microscopy, and quantitative changes of lamina propria lymphocytes by flow cytometry in day 7 and day 14 of the study. We observed that the enrichment of the diet with inorganic zinc has a positive effect on the relative percentage of CD4+ lamina propria lymphocytes in the jejunum and on heterophil counts in blood. In addition, it was concluded that inorganic zinc has an anti-inflammatory effect (downregulation of TNF-α and IL-17) and activates IgA-producing cells in the jejunum of chicks infected with A. galli.
Highlights
In the poultry industry, most chickens with outdoor access are often exposed to a wide range of parasites, e.g., A. galli
The relative expression for IL-4 gene was significantly upregulated in groups infected by A. galli (Ag, Ag + Z) compared to the zinc group and control (p < 0.05) on day 14 of study (Figure 1)
The relative expression of IL-17 gene was markedly upregulated on study day 7 mainly in Ag group and Ag + Z group than compared to zinc and control groups (p < 0.01; p < 0.001), as well as on day 14 (Figure 2)
Summary
Most chickens with outdoor access are often exposed to a wide range of parasites, e.g., A. galli. In this regard, A. galli poses a serious biological threat due to its direct life cycle and ability to survive extreme environmental conditions. Larvae gradually penetrate the inner lining of the gut, where they spend 1–7 weeks and molt again. They return to the lumen of the intestine, where they develop into adult worms and the females begin to produce eggs. Adult worms cause mechanical damage of the intestinal wall, thereby contributing to malnutrition. They compete for nutrients and cause bowel obstruction [2]
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