Immune Response Of Broiler Chickens Research Articles

Effects of Drinking Reverse-osmosis Treated Deep Sea Water on Growth Performance and Immune Response in Broiler Chickens

ABSTRACT This study was executed to investigate the effects of drinking deep sea water treated by reverse osmosis process (RO-DSW) on growth performance, nutrient utilizability, relative weight of lymphoid organs and the concentration of serum immunoglobulin G(IgG) in broiler chickens. A total of 200 one day old broiler chickens (Ross 308) were equally and randomly distributed into 10 ground floor pens (20 chicks per pen, 5 pens per treatment) bedded with rice-husks. The broilers were offered either fresh tap water (Control) or RO-DSW for 28 days (from d 6 to d 33) as the drinking water. The same basal phase 1 diet for first 2 weeks and phase 2 diet for last 2 weeks were offered ad libitum to the birds. The RO-DSW was prepared by diluting 1:20 ratio with deionized water before offering to chickens. The diet for control birds was supplemented with 0.21 % of food-grade salt to satisfy salt need of the birds. Broiler feeding study resulted that there were no differences in amount of water consumption, mortality and FCR between RO-DSW and control chickens. However, feed intake and body weight gain were increased (p 0.05) difference in nutrients utilizability between RO-DSW and fresh water drinking. There were no (p>0.05) differences in the immune response between the control and treatment group. The serum IgG levels were 3.01 vs 2.87 mg/ml and the relative weights of spleen, thymus and bursa of Fabricius were 0.23, 0.18 and 0.20 vs. 0.20, 0.17 and 0.14 for RO-DSW vs. control birds, respectively. The immune responses were tended to be improved by RO-DSW drinking. This study showed an improvement in weight gain and feed intake that could be induced by RO-DSW drinking, although it is difficult to explain the reasons of the improvement at this moment. This study implied that RO-DSW could be successfully used as drinking water to broiler chickens.(

Effect of dietary protein and lysine levels on growth performance and immune response in broiler chicks

The present worle was carried out to study the effect of decreasing the dietary pro­ tein content by 10% (LCP- diet) with supplementation of lysine (0, 0.2, and 0.4%) over the recommended level in broiler diets on growth performance, carcass traits, blood me­ tabolites, immune response. One day old Cobb chicks (120) were used. The chicks were distributed randomly into 4 groups and fed 23% or 20.7% CPfor the starter diets,20 or 18.2% CP for the grower and 18 or 16.2% CPfor thefmisher diets with different dietary lysine level (1.1, 1.29 or 1.48%)jor starter diets, 1, 1.22 or 1.4%jor the grower diet and 0.85, 1.05 or 1.25%for thefmisher diets, respectively and 3200 Kcal ME/Kg. The chicles were vaccinated against Avian influenza. Newcastle and Gumboro diseases at proper time. The growth performance indices (body weight,jeed intake andjeed con­ version ratio) were measured. Blood samples were collectedjrom the broilers at 14, 21 and 28 days of age without anticoagulant for separation of sera to detect titer of anti­ bodies against Newcastle disease vaccine using haemagglutination inhibition test (HI) as indicative of birds immune response in the different experimental groups and also at 42 days of age, blood samples collected for determination of serum metabolites. At the end of the experiment, 5 chicles from each group were slaughtered to obtain some of the carcass traits. The results revealed that body weight and feed conversion ratio of the broiler fed 10% LCP-diet supplemented with 0.4% lysine above that recommendedfor the broilers significantly improved on comparison to those fed the LCP diets supplemented with 0, 0.2% lysine. Feeding the.broiler chicks the LCP-diet decreased the body weight gain and increased the feed conversion ratio. The abdominal fat % in the carcass of the broiler chicles fed LCP-diet supplemented with 0.4% lysine were lower than those jed on the diets supplemented with 0, 0.2% lysine. Feeding LCP-diet supplemented with 0.4% lysine increased serum total protein, albumin, and globulin and decreased serum total lipids, cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein and high density lipopro­ tein. It can be concluded that feeding the broiler chicks on LCP-diet supplemented with 0.4% lysine diet resulted in better growth performance, lower total lipids, cholesterol

The effect of a β-mannanase-based enzyme on growth performance and humoral immune response of broiler chickens fed diets containing graded levels of whole dates

The use of low-quality whole dates in broilers' diets was evaluated. The apparent metabolizable energy (AMEn) of whole dates and date pits was determined with or without a beta-mannanase-based enzyme (Hemicell--a registered trademark of ChemGen Corp., Gaithersburg, MD. Dried Bacillus lentus fermentation solubles with 158 million units/kg minimum enzyme activity. Recommended usage rate is 0.4 g kg(-1) of feed. ChemGen Corp., Gaithersburg, MD, USA). A 3 x 2 factorial arrangement consisting of whole dates (0, 175, and 350 g kg(-1)) and enzyme (0 or 0.4 g kg(-1)) was performed to assess the effect of the enzyme on the nutritive value of whole dates (experiment 2) in broilers' diet. Enzyme improved AMEn contents of the whole dates and date pits. The diets containing 175 or 350 g kg(-1) whole dates produced body weight gain (BWG) similar to those obtained without dates. Enzyme improved BWG and feed conversion ratio throughout the experimental period. In conclusion, whole dates can be included in broiler diets at levels up to 350 g kg(-1). In addition, beta-mannanase supplementation would have beneficial effects on performance and immunity in birds fed on corn-soy or corn-soy-whole dates diets.

콜로이드 은과 희토류 원소의 첨가가 육계 생산성에 미치는 영향

Department of Animal Products & Food Science, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 200-701, KoreaABSTRACT An experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation of rare earth, individually and in combination with colloidal silver on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, carcass characteristics and immune response in broiler chicks. A total of 3,872 day-old chicks were randomly allotted to four dietary treatments in a randomized complete block design. There were four pens per treatment and 242 chicks per pen. The dietary treatments were T1) CON (control diet), T2) colloidal silver (control diet20 ppb colloidal silver), T3) rare earth elements (control diet500 ppm rare earth), T4) colloidal silverrare earth elements (control diet20 ppb colloidal silver500 ppm rare earth). There were no significant differences in feed intake and feed conversion ratio (FCR) among dietary treatments during the whole experimental period (0 to 5 weeks). Body weight gain was greatest in birds fed T3 and T4 diets (p<0.01). Apparent digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, ether extract and calcium were greatest in birds fed T4 diet (p<0.05), while apparent digestibility of phosphorus was lowest in birds fed T3 diet (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in bone strength, carcass characteristics and immune response among dietary treatments. Dry matter content of bone was greatest in birds fed T4 diet (p<0.05), and phosphorus content of bone was greater in birds fed T3 diet than in birds fed T2 and T4 diets (p<0.05). Thus, the results of this study suggest that rare earth elements supplementation, individually and in combination with colloidal silver could improve performance of broilers.(Key words : rare earth elements, colloidal silver, growth performance, nutrient digestibility, broilers)To whom correspondence should be addressed : bjchae@kangwon.ac.kr

Influence of probiotic on serum biochemical profile, growth performance and immunostatus in broiler chickens

A total of 90 one-day-old male broiler chicks were fed on balanced ration for 15 days and then divided into 3 equal groups. Control group fed ration probiotic free, group 2 and 3 fed ration supplemented with probiotic at concentration levels 0.5 and 1.0g/kg ration respectively for 4 weeks.It was found that probiotic improve body weight gain and feed conversion ratio. Relative organs weights were not altered in groups of birds fed ration mixed with probiotic. Serum values of biochemical parameter (AST, ALT, ALP, total protein, A/G ratio, Ph) were not significantly changed in comparison to control group. Probiotic enhance the immune response of broiler chickens in a dose dependent relation as documented by increasing the serumNDHI antibody geometric mean titres to ND vaccine, phagocyte percentage and phagocytic index of peripheral blood monocyte of broiler chickens. We concluded that probiotic composed of 3 strains of bacteria (Pediococcus acidilactici, Pediococaoccus pentosaceus and Bacillus Amylolique- faciens) in addition to 2 strains of yeast( Pichia farinose and Dekera anomala ) enhance body weight gain, feed conversion, growth performance and Newcastle disease antibody titres in broiler chickens. Moreover, probiotic was safe as proved by serum biochemical profile and relative organ weight of male broiler chickens.

Tryptophan Stimulates Immune Response in Broiler Chickens Challenged with Infectious Bursal Disease Vaccine

Infectious bursal disease is still a challenging issue by posing a serious threat to the commercial poultry industry especially due to the emergence of highly Infectious Bursal Disease Virus (IBDV). In the present study, we evaluated the immunomodulatory effects of Tryptophan (Tip) on innate, humoral and cellular immune responses in chickens challenged by oral administration of intermediate plus strain of IBD virus at 28 days of age. A corn-soybean meal based diet containing different levels of Tip (0, 0.10 and 0.20) for the starter, (0, 0.07 and 0.15) for the grower and (0, 0.05 and 0.13) for the finisher has been utilized. In a completely randomized design with three treatments of five replicates each and 10 chickens per replicate, 150 Cobb 500 male broiler chickens from 0-49 days of age were subjected to Tip diet. To measure the innate, cellular and humoral immunity indicators (interferon-alpha, interferon-gamma, immunoglobulin G, respectively) at 27, 35, 42 and 49 days of age, serum samples from each replicate of treatments were collected and subjected to ELISA. The result showed that Trp supplementation in the chickens basal diets significantly increased the serum levels of interferon-alpha at 35, 42 and 49 days of age (p<0.05), interferon-gamma at 27, 35 and 49 days of age (p<0.05) and immunoglobulin G at 27, 35, 42 and 49 days of age (p<0.05). These results strongly suggest that tryptophan plays a vital role in modulation of protective immune response against IBDV.

Effect of Post-hatch Nutrient Intubation on Performance, Intestinal Growth, Meat Yield and Immune Response in Broiler Chickens

The response of broiler chicks to intubation of nutrients (starch, casein, soybean oil or their combinations) into the crop immediately after hatch was evaluated for performance, intestinal development, meat yield and immune competence up to 35 d of age. A control group with no access to feed and two test groups fed either inert material (sawdust) or starter diet for the initial 24 h after hatch were compared with nutrient intubated groups (n = 7). A total of 300 broiler chicks were equally distributed to 10 dietary groups with 6 replicates of 5 chicks each. After 24 h of hatch, all groups were fed ad libitum the starter (0-21 d) and finisher diets (22-35 d). Results indicated that post-hatch intubation of starch into the crop significantly (p≤0.05) improved body weight (at 14 and 35 d of age). ready-to-cook meat yields, weights of breast muscle and small intestine segments, cell-mediated immune response, ND titers and weight of bursa compared to chicks starved or fed sawdust during the initial 24 h after hatch. However, chicks with access to feed immediately after hatch or intubation of starch, soybean oil, starch+casein, starch+soybean oil or starch+casein+soybean oil exhibited similar positive effects. Intubation of casein either alone or in combination with soybean oil was superior to the starved or sawdust fed groups, but inferior to other groups for all the parameters studied. It was concluded from the study that intubation of starch individually or in combination with casein and/or soybean oil effectively circumvented the negative effects of post-hatch starvation for 24 h. Among the nutrients intubated, carbohydrate (starch) was better utilized by the chicks than protein (casein) or fat during the initial post-hatch period.

The Effect of Methionine and Threonine Supplementations on Immune Responses of Broiler Chickens Challenged with Infectious Bursal Disease

Problem statement: The aim of this study was conducted to determine the effects of supplementing methionine and threonine higher than the National Research Council (NRC) recommendation in the diets on immune responses of broiler chickens challenged with Infectious Bursal Disease (IBD). Approach: A total of 450 day-old male broiler chicks were assigned to one of the nine dietary treatments. Three levels of methionine (NRC (M1), 2 times NRC (M2) and 3 times NRC (M3)) and 3 levels of threonine (NRC (T1), 2 times NRC (T2) and 3 times NRC (T3)) were fed. On day 28, all birds were challenged with a commercial live-IBDV vaccine. Results: Antibody titer against IBD and ND were influenced by interaction of threonine and methionine. On 7 days after IBD challenge, ND antibody titer of the broilers receiving the highest level of methionine and threonine was significantly higher than that of other treatment groups. Lesion score of the bursa of the broilers receiving control diet was significantly the highest compared with the other treatments. Conclusion/Recommendations: The results obtained on the present study indicated that threonine and methionine requirements of broiler based on recommendation of NRC are not sufficient to meet the requirement of the new commercial poultry and commercial broiler companies under non-hygienic condition.

The effect of increasing levels of fish oil on some immune responses of broiler chickens

There has been some interest in the enrichment of poultry meat with long-chain n-3 PUFA as a means of increasing the low consumption of these acids by human subjects consuming western diets. There is some concern, however, that at high levels of consumption, n-3 PUFA may have detrimental effects on immune function. However, research to date shows that strong controversy surrounds this immunomodulation. The aim of this experiment was to determine the effects of dietary long-chain PUFA on some aspects of immune function in broiler chickens. A total of 18 one-day-old male Ross 308 broiler chicks were reared as a single group for 21 d, and fed a common starter diet. At 21 d, the broilers were then fed for 33 d one of three wheat–soyabean meal-based diets. All diets contained 60 g/kg added oil, which was either 0, 60; 30, 30; or 60, 0 g fish oil (FO) and soya oil, respectively. Chickens between 54 and 60 d of age were sacrificed and samples of blood, bursa of Fabricus, spleen and thymus were collected. The lymphocytes were stained with four monoclonal antibodies: anti-CD3, anti-CD4, anti-CD8 and BU-1A. Immune cells were then enumerated using the FACSCalibur flow cytometer. The quantitative analysis of the phagocytic activity of peripheral mononuclear phagocytes in whole blood was performed using phagotest commercial kits. Increasing levels of FO did not affect the weights of the spleen. However, chickens fed diet with 60 g/kg FO had significantly lower bursa weights (P<0.01) than those fed diets with 0 and 30 g/kg FO. In addition, the bursae were thinner compared with bursae from chickens fed diets containing less FO (Table 1). Chickens fed diets containing 30 g/kg FO had significantly higher thymus weights compared to chickens fed 0 and 60 g/kg (P<0.05). There was no significant effect of increasing FO level on the percentage positive and mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of the leucocyte subsets in peripheral blood, spleen and thymus. However, the proportion of B-cells in peripheral blood and the MFI of CD8 subsets in the spleen approached significance, P = 0.058 and 0.054, respectively. Results of phagocytic activity show that the different levels of FO in the experimental groups neither affected the positive percentage of cells nor MFI. However, there was a trend towards a lower proportion of monocytes being engaged in phagocytosis when broilers were fed diets containing 60 g/kg FO (P = 0.055) (Table 2).

Effect of Fish Oil on Immune Response in Broiler Chicks Vaccinated Against IBD

IBD can only be controlled by proper vaccination. The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of an intermediate strain of live attenuated IBD vaccine in broiler chicks at 7 day of age, as well as th th index) was recorded at these periods. Blood samples were collected for detection IBD antibody titer using ELISA at all these periods from control group for detection MDA, whereas the blood has been collected from the treated groups at a period of seven days after vaccination until the end of the experiment at 28 day of age th

Effects of supplemental 25-hydroxycholecalciferol on growth performance, small intestinal morphology, and immune response of broiler chickens

Three experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25-OH-D(3)) on the growth performance, small intestinal morphology, and immune response of broiler chickens. In experiment 1, 25-OH-D(3) neither increased nor decreased weight gain and feed efficiency compared with the controls during the 39-d feeding period. Birds fed 25-OH-D(3) exhibited numerically higher phagocytosis (45%) than the controls (35%). In experiment 2, chicks were fed diets similar to those used in experiment 1 and were killed at 7, 14, 21, 28, and 35 d of age to determine the relative weight and histology of the small intestine. The relative weight of the small intestine from birds fed 25-OH-D(3) was numerically lower (P < 0.1) at 7 d of age. It was found that 25-OH-D(3) consistently resulted in longer (P < 0.05) villus length of the duodenum in 21- and 28-d-old birds and of the jejunum in 14- and 28-d-old birds. Shorter (P < 0.05) crypt depth was observed in the duodenum at 14 d of age and in the jejunum at 21 and 28 d of age. A higher (P < 0.05) ratio of villus length to crypt depth was also observed in the duodenum and jejunum at 14, 21, and 28 d of age of birds fed 25-OH-D(3). The thickness of muscle layer increased in the duodenum at 14, 28, and 35 d of age in birds fed 25-OH-D(3). In experiment 3, birds were orally challenged with either Luria-Bertani broth or Salmonella Typhimurium E29 at 7 and 14 d of age. Uninfected birds fed 25-OH-D(3) had lower total serum IgA at 14 d of age and lower total serum IgG at 21 d of age. However, infected birds fed 25-OH-D(3) produced higher (P < 0.1) total serum IgG at 21 d of age. The results of this study suggest that supplemental 25-OH-D(3) improves small intestinal morphology and protective humoral immunity to infection.

Effect of dietary oil seeds on n-3 fatty acid enrichment, performance parameters and humoral immune response of broiler chickens

Summary A 42-day study was conducted to evaluate the influence of full-fat flaxseed (FS) and canola seed (CS) on broiler performance, fatty acid (FA) profile of meat, serum lipid content and antibody response to sheep red blood cells antigen (SRBC). A total of 324 one-day-old chicks were attributed to 6 experimental groups. C: control (soybean-corn); CS1:7.5% CS; CS2:15% CS; CS-FS:10% FS + 10% CS; FS1:7.5% FS; FS2:15% FS. The diets containing FS and CS had a significant negative effect on performance parameters (P 0.05) different among treatments. Inclusion of FS and CS significantly increased (P 0.05).

육계에 대한 복합 유기산제의 첨가급여 효과에 관한 연구

본 연구에서는 사료 내 복합 유기산제의 첨가급여가 육계 생산성, 맹장 미생물 균총, 혈액 특성 및 면역 활성에 미치는 영향을 조사하고 이를 통해 유기산의 성장촉진용 항생제 대체 가능성을 구명하고자 수행하였다. 1일령 육계 수평아리(Ross<TEX>$\times$</TEX>Ross 308) 480수를 공시하여 4처리, 4반복, 반복당 30수씩 배치하여 5주간 사양시험을 실시하였다. 시험구는 항생제 무첨가구, 항생제 첨가구(virginiamycin 10 ppm＋salinomycin 60 ppm)를 대조구로 하였으며, 시험사료에 유기산을 0.3% 및 0.5% 첨가하여 유기산 처리구를 두었다. 5주 종료체중, 증체량에 있어서 유기산 0.5% 처리구가 무항생제 처리구에 비해 유의하게 증가하였으며(P<0.05), 유기산 첨가 급여시 무항생제 처리구에 비해 사료 요구율이 유의하게 개선되었다(P<0.05). 도체율 및 조직의 상대적 중량에서는 처리구간 차이가 관찰되지 않았다. 소장 중량 및 길이는 항생제 첨가구가 다른 처리구에 비해 유의하게 감소하였으나(P<0.05), 유기산 처리구와 항생제 무첨가구간에는 차이가 없었다. 맹장 내 미생물 균총에 있어서 대조구인 항생제 첨가구와 유기산 처리구에서 맹장내 Coliform bacteria 및 Salmonella가 유의하게 감소하였으며 유산균에는 영향을 미치지 않았다. 혈액 내 총콜레스테롤, 중성지방, BUN, AST 및 ALT에 있어서는 통계적 유의성이 인정되지 않았다. Total protein 및 globulin 수치에 있어서는 항생제 첨가구 및 유기산 처리구가 항생제 무첨가구에 비해 유의하게 감소하였으며(P<0.05), albumin 수치에서는 차이가 없었다. 이로인해 항생제 첨가구 및 유기산 처리구의 혈청 내 albumin : globulin 비율이 항생제 무첨가구에 비해 유의하게 증가하는 결과를 보였다(P<0.05). WBC, heterophil, lymphocyte 및 스트레스 지표인 heterophil:lymphocyte 비율에 있어서 처리구간 차이가 관찰되지 않았으며, 비장 조직내 IL-2 및 IL-6 mRNA의 발현양상에 있어서도 유기산 첨가급여에 따른 변화는 관찰되지 않았다. 결론적으로 복합 유기산제의 육계 사료 내 첨가급여는 육계 생산성을 향상시키고, 유해균의 성장 및 증식을 억제하여 장내 미생물 균총의 안정화에 긍정적인 영향을 미치는 한편, 조직 발달 및 혈액 성상에 부정적인 영향을 미치지 않았다. This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of organic acid mixture on growth performance, cecal microflora, blood characteristics and immune response in broiler chicks and to prove the possibility of organic acid mixture as an alternative to antibiotics growth promotor. A total of four hundred eighty, 1-day-old male broiler chicks (Ross<TEX>$\times$</TEX>Ross 308) were randomly divided into 4 groups with 4 replicates of 30 birds each. The treatments were NC (free antibiotics), PC (basal diet with virginiamycin 10 ppm and salinomycin 60 ppm), 0.3% organic acid, and 0.5% organic acid. The final body weight and body weight gain were significantly higher in organic acid 0.5% than NC (P<0.05). The feed conversion ratio in all treated groups were significantly improved as compared to that of NC (P<0.05). The carcass rate and relative organs weight were not significantly difference among the groups. The relative weight and length of small intestine in PC were significantly decreased than the other groups. The numbers of cecal coliform bacteria and Salmonella in all treated groups were significantly lower than NC (P<0.05). The number of cecal lactic acid bacteria was not different among the groups. No significant differences among the groups were observed in the contents of total cholesterol, triglyceride, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), albumin, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in blood serum. The contents of total protein and globulin in blood serum of PC and organic acid treated groups were significantly increased as compared to those of NC (P<0.05). Therefore, albumin:globulin ratio of PC and organic acid treated groups was significantly lower than NC (P<0.05). The total white blood cell (WBC), heterophil, lymphocyte, and stress indicator (heterophil:lymphocyte ratio) were not significantly different among the groups. No significant difference was observed on the expression rate of splenic cytokines mRNA in organic acid treated groups compared to the control. Consequently, supplemental organic acid mixture improved the growth performance, and influenced positive effects on the intestinal microflora by inhibiting the growth of harmful bacteria without any adverse effects on relative weights of organs and blood biochemical parameters in broiler chicks.

Arginine and Vitamin E improve the antibody responses to infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) and sheep red blood cells in broiler chickens

1. Dietary arginine (ARG) and vitamin E (VE) have been shown to improve immune responses in broiler chickens, but their combined effects have not been well documented. The objective of this study was to evaluate the combined effects of dietary ARG and VE on antibody responses to sheep red blood cell (SRBC, agglutination assay) inoculation in 13-d-old chicks, and antibody titres (ELISA) to infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) before and after vaccination of 20-d-old chicks. 2. One-day-old broiler chicks were fed diets with normal (NARG, 12 g/kg of feed) or high (HARG, 22 g/kg of feed) inclusion rates of ARG, and three rates of VE (40, 80, or 200 mg/kg of feed; 40 mg being the supplement used in commercial diets) in a factorial arrangement. 3. Antibody titres to SRBC at 5, 8, and 12 d after inoculation were higher in chicks fed on the HARG diet than in those on NARG, and in chickens on VE80 compared with those on VE200 at 5, 8, and 12 d after inoculation. Antibody titres to the IBDV 2 days before and 19 d after vaccination were higher in chickens on HARG compared with those on NARG, and in chicks on VE80 compared to those on VE40 but similar to those on VE200. Conversely, 5 d after vaccination titres against IBDV were higher in chicks on NARG than in those on HARG, and in chickens on VE40 compared with those on VE80, yet similar to those on VE200. 4. These results show that diets with high ARG and high VE (80 mg/kg) improved the humoral-mediated immune response of broilers to IBDV and SRBC, suggesting it could be a strategy to improve vaccination protection and resistance to diseases.

The effect of increasing levels of fish oil on immune responses of broiler chickens

There has been interest in the enrichment of poultry meat with long chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) as a means of increasing the low consumption of these acids by humans consuming western diets. There is some concern, however, that at high levels of consumption, n-3 PUFA may have detrimental effects on immune function. However, research to date shows that strong controversy surrounds this immunomodulation. The aim of this experiment was to determine the effects of dietary long chain PUFA on aspects of immune function in broiler chickens.

Effects of vitamin E and C supplementation on performance and immune response of broiler chicks

Vitamin E (VE) is known for its role as an antioxidant, protecting unsaturated bonds of cellular membrane phospholipids against free radical attack. VE also has been shown to be a requirement for normal development and function of the immune system. Although poultry are renal synthesizers of ascorbic acid, synthesis is inadequate under stressful conditions such as high environmental temperature, high humidity, high egg and meat production rate and parasite infestation. The main objective of this study was to assess the effects of various levels of dietary VE supplementation and Vitamin C (VC) in drinking water on performance, humoral and cell mediate immune response.

Study on Immunomodulatory Activity of Dietary Garlic in Chickens Vaccinated against Avian Influenza Virus (Subtype H9N2)

Fresh garlic powder was evaluated for ability to potentiate the immune response of broiler chicks to Avian Influenza Virus (AIV) vaccine. For this purpose, 280 day-old chicks (Ross 308) were randomly allocated to 4 groups A, B (52 each) C and D (88 each). The birds in groups A and B were given control diet during the experiment, but those in groups C and D received diet supplemented with 1 and 3% garlic powder, respectively. After 2nd bleeding, half of the chicks in groups C and D were separated as groups E and F and fed control diet thereafter. On 9th day of age, the chicks in all groups except A were immunized subcutaneously against AIV (subtype H N ) with a commercial oil-based inactivated vaccine (Merial, France). 9 2 Fifteen chicks from each group were bled on days 14, 24 and 34 post vaccination and also 5 just before vaccination. The sera were used for antibody titration against AIV by both HI and ELISA tests. The results showed that antibody levels were considerably higher in the vaccinated chicks than those in the nonvaccinated control throughout the experimental period (p 0.05). In addition, the removal of garlic from diet had no significant (p>0.05) effect on serum titer. It is suggested that diet supplementation with garlic powder can not stimulate the humoral response of chickens against AIV vaccine.

Effects of Liquid dl-2-Hydroxy-4-Methylthio Butanoic Acid on Growth Performance and Immune Responses in Broiler Chickens

An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of different doses of liquid dl-2-hydroxy-4-methylthio butanoic acid (LMA) on growth performance and immune response in broiler chickens. In an arrangement with 4 graded levels of LMA to meet 80, 100, 120, and 140% of methionine requirements of broilers recommended by Chinese feeding standards for chickens, 256 one-day-old Arbor Acres male broiler chickens were randomly divided into 4 treatments with 8 replicates of 8 birds each. Growth performance, cellular immunity, and humoral immunity were determined. Results from increasing LMA levels were as follows. There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) in body weight gain and feed intake among the treatments, but the ratio of feed to gain was linearly decreased and significantly greatest (P < 0.05) in the group fed at 80% of methionine requirement. Serum globulin levels on d 21 and 42 were linearly increased significantly (P < 0.05); phagocytosis of neutral red of peripheral blood lymphocyte was quadratic and was lowest in the deficient group (P < 0.05). The proliferation of peripheral blood lymphocytes in response to lipopolysaccharide was quadratically influenced, and that of the 120% group on d 21 and the 100% group on d 42 was significantly greater than in the other groups (P < 0.05). Antibody titers to Newcastle disease virus on d 4 after the first inoculation of the vaccine were quadratically increased, anti-bovine serum albumin antibody production on d 13 after the second immunization was quadratic, and antibody titers were greatest in the groups fed at 100 or 120% of methionine requirement. In conclusion, methionine deficiency resulted in decreased feed utilization and decreased humoral and nonspecific immuno-competence of broiler chickens. The use of LMA to correct a methionine deficiency corrected these problems.

Effect of Dietary Garlic on Immune Response of Broiler Chicks to Live Newcastle Disease Vaccine

This study was designed to determine the effect of garlic powder on humoral immune response of broilers against NDV (Newcastle Disease Virus) vaccine. Two hundred and forty, two-day-old, Ross chicks were randomly assigned into 4 groups of 60 birds each. Chicks in groups 1 and 2 were given control mash diet during the experiment (6 week), but those in groups 3 and 4 were fed on control diet supplemented with 1 and 3% garlic powder, respectively. All groups except number 1 were vaccinated by eye-drop with B1 strain (Pestikal, Croatia) at 9 and 18 days of age. Ten blood samples were taken from each group on days 0, 14, 24 and 34 after first vaccination. The serum antibody level against NDV was measured by both HI and ELISA tests. The EDTA-mixed blood samples were examined for total and differential leukocyte count. The results showed that antibody titers in vaccinated chicks were significantly more than in non-vaccinated chicks (p < 0.05), but not influenced by the diet (p > 0.05). A significant increase of total leukocyte and percentage of lymphocytes was observed in vaccinated chicks 14 days after vaccination, but there were no difference (p > 0.05) among vaccinated groups. It is concluded that inclusion of garlic powder to the diet of broilers don't have any beneficial effect on humoral immune response to live NDV vaccine.

Growth performance, nutrient digestibility and immune response of broiler chicks fed diets supplemented with a culture of Lactobacillus bulgaricus

AbstractBACKGROUND: Probiotics are being developed for use in animal feed to enhance production performance and prevention of gastrointestinal infections. The ban on using antibiotics as growth promoters, antibiotic resistance and the inherent problems of developing new vaccines make a compelling case for developing alternatives for in‐feed antibiotics. The alternatives of choice have to be considered under the environmental conditions of the animal. Among the probiotics in use today, Lactobacillus has been shown to play a vital role in disease prevention, immune enhancement, improved growth and carcass yield in poultry. The present study investigates the effect of Lactobacillus bulgaricus (LB)‐based probiotic on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility and immune response of broilers under tropical environmental conditions.RESULTS: Broilers fed LB diets consumed more feed (P &lt; 0.05) and had greater body weight gain than the control group. Feed/gain ratio improved significantly (P &lt; 0.05) with the 20, 40 and 60 mg kg−1 LB diets compared with the control or 80 mg kg−1 LB diet. The apparent digestibilities of nitrogen and fat increased with LB supplementation. However, there was no significant difference (P &gt; 0.05) in fibre digestibility. White blood cell count increased significantly in broilers fed higher levels (&gt;40 mg kg−1) of LB compared with the control group. Antibody production measured as antibody titre against Newcastle disease vaccine showed a curvilinear response over the range of LB concentrations examined.CONCLUSION: The results indicate that LB addition to broiler chick diets significantly improved growth performance, increased nutrient digestibility and stimulated humoral immune response. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry