Abstract
The present study was done to know the effects of supplementations of vitamin C and E on humoral immune response against Newcastle Disease (ND) and Infectious Bursal Disease (IBD) and on lymphoid organs in broiler birds. One hundred and twenty day old chicks were purchased from a local hatchery and were reared in an open house shed. On day 5th all the chick divided randomly into 4 groups A, B, C and D (30 birds in each). On the day 5th and 11th, the chicks were vaccinated against ND and Disease IBD. Booster doses of both vaccines were given on day 28. The chicks were offered Vitamin E (600 mg l-1), Vitamin C (600 mg l-1) and Vitamin E+C (300 mg l-1 each), for 5 consecutive days in drinking water on day 5 and 28. Weekly serum Hemagglutination Inhibition (HI) antibody titers against ND virus, total body weight, feed conversion ratio (FCR) and weight of lymphoid organs were recorded until the day 49. Geometric mean HI antibody titers against ND remained maximum in group C. Statistical analysis revealed a non significant (P<0.05) differences among the various treatment groups in weight gain. At day 49, the total weight gain was maximum in group C (2196.0 gm) followed by group A (2155.0 g), group B (2146 g) and group D (2094 gm). The feed conversion ratio was the best in the group B (1.66) followed by group C (1.69) with a non significant difference. From the study, it was concluded that the combined effect of Vitamin E+C was better as compared to separate supplementation of Vitamin E and Vitamin C.
Highlights
Modern commercial broilers have compromised immunocompetence, higher mortality and lower resistance to stresses
The present study was done to know the effects of supplementations of vitamin C and E on humoral immune response against Newcastle Disease (ND) and Infectious Bursal Disease (IBD) and on lymphoid organs in broiler birds
Vitamin E is a natural antioxidant for cellular membranes and regulates the production of prostaglandins and leukotenes [11], which minimizes the damage resulting from the cytotoxic action in organisms and improves the phagocytic activity of macrophages in young birds [12]
Summary
Modern commercial broilers have compromised immunocompetence, higher mortality and lower resistance to stresses. A number of outbreaks were reported in the vaccinated flocks despite vaccination against Newcastle Disease (ND), due to improper immune response and vaccine failures [1]. Outbreaks mostly in non-vaccinated broilers and layers, causing 100% morbidity and 25% mortality were reported due to managemental problems, which include poor Biosecurity, imbalanced ventilation, extreme ambient temperatures, stress factors, some local and imported substandard vaccines and medicines [2]. Proper vaccination and monitoring of the post vaccination immune response are important ways to control ND and IBD diseases [4]. Many immune-stimulating substances that have been used in poultry with success are Levamisole, Vitamin E and Selenium [6,7,8], Ascorbic acid and Vitamin D [9,10]. The chicks are capable of biosynthesis of ascorbic acid, but this ability became inadequate under stress condition, such as in high environmental temperature, high humidity, a high production rate and parasitic infestation [13]
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