The growth promoting and immunostimulant effects of levamisole hydrochloride on broiler chicks

Abstract

ABSTRACT The current study was carried out to investigate the effects of levamisole Hcl. (LMS) supplementation on the performance, immunological response, and various hematological, biochemical, and histopathological changes in broilers. A total of 120 one-day-old Ross (308) broiler chicks were randomly assigned to one of two feeding treatments, each of which has 3 replicates (20 chicks per each replicate). The first (control) group was fed a basal diet with no supplements, whereas the second (LMS) group was given LMS 25 mg/kg live body weight via drinking water every day for 37 days. The results showed that LMS supplementation enhanced final body weight, weight gain, and average FCR, over the entire experimental period, and increased PCV percent, Hb percent, and WBC count. Furthermore, phagocytic activity increased (P < 0.05) by roughly 15.3% at the 5th week of chicken age compared to the control. At 3 and 5 weeks of the experiment, the LMS-treated group’s intestinal villi improved considerably (P < 0.05) in length, width, goblet cell number, and crypt depth compared to the control group. In conclusion, including LMS in the diet increased broiler chick growth, performance, and immunological response. As a result of its growth-promoting and immunostimulant properties, we recommended its usage in chicken farms.