Effect of vitamins E and C supplementation on the immunity status of coloured hens during summer

Abstract

The present investigation was carried out to evaluate effects of vitamins E and C supplementation on immunity status of breeder birds and transfer of passive immunity to day-old chicks during heat stress. Broiler breeder birds (270) were divided into 9 groups with 3 replicates having 10 birds in each and were supplemented with 2 levels of antioxidant vitamins E (250 mg or 500 mg/kg) and C (200 mg or 400 mg/kg) alone and in combinations for 8 weeks during the peak summer. Antibody titre against Newcastle disease vaccine(NDV), cutaneous basophilic hypersensitivity (CBH) test against phytohaemaglutinin- P at fourth and eighth week and passive immunity in chicks were undertaken. At fourth week control group which was not supplemented any vitamins showed the lowest CBH response and at eighth week all the combined vitamins supplemented groups showed significantly higher response than control and individual vitamin supplemented groups. At fourth week antibody titre against NDV did not differ significantly from first day in all the groups and on eighth week there was significant decline in antibody titre in control and individual vitamin supplemental groups compared to first and fourth week but decrease in titre in combined vitamin supplemented groups was not significant. The passive immunity as determined by titre (log2) against NDV in day-old chicks hatched from the eggs of breeder hens did not differ among the treatments. It can be concluded that the combination of the antioxidant vitamins at lower level i.e. C 200 + E 250mg/kg have higher immunity in the coloured broiler breeder hens compared to individual vitamin supplementation during hot and humid stress.