Relative Weight Of Lymphoid Organs Research Articles

Dietary β-mannanase decreases cloacal temperature of broiler chickens under hot conditions without affecting growth performance

Background: High amounts of nonstarch polysaccharides in the diet may increase the amounts of fermentative materials in the hindgut, leading to an increase in fermentative heat production. Dietary β-mannanase is reported to decrease antinutritional effects of β-mannans, such as the potential increase of body heat; however, its efficacy on broiler chickens raised under hot climatic conditions has not been investigated. Objective: To investigate the effects of dietary β-mannanase on growth performance, cloacal temperature, relative lymphoid organ weight, and blood characteristics of broiler chickens raised under hot climatic conditions. Methods: A total of 1,701 1-day-old Ross 308 broiler chickens were randomly allotted to one of three dietary treatments with nine replicates. A basal diet was prepared and added with β-mannanase at 0.05 or 0.10% inclusion levels. The experiment was conducted for 30 days. Average room temperature was 28.8 ± 1.74 C and average relative humidity (RH) was 76.1 ± 11.49% during the experiment. Results: Growth performance of broiler chickens raised under hot climatic conditions was not affected by β-mannanase inclusion. Cloacal temperature decreased at the end of experiment (linear, p<0.05) with increasing inclusion levels of dietary β-mannanase. Increasing inclusion levels of β-mannanase tended to increase (linear, p=0.076) the relative weight of thymus, but had no effects on the relative weight of spleen and bursa of Fabricius. Blood characteristics were not influenced by dietary β-mannanase. Conclusion: Increasing inclusion levels of β-mannanase decrease cloacal temperature; however, it does not directly influence growth performance nor alleviates the heat stress of broiler chickens raised under hot climatic conditions.

Interactive effects of α-tocopheryl acetate and zinc supplementation on the antioxidant and immune systems of broilers

ABSTRACT1. A total of 1440 one-day-old Ross 308 male broilers were allocated to 12 dietary treatments to evaluate dose-dependent effects of α-tocopheryl acetate (α-TOA) combined with zinc (Zn) supplementation on humoral and cellular immune responses, antioxidant enzymes, serum and hepatic contents of vitamins and minerals in broilers.2. Three levels of supplemental α-TOA (0, 150 and 300 mg/kg) and 4 levels of Zn (0, 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) were combined as a completely randomised design as a 3 × 4 factorial arrangement.3. Concentrations of serum α-tocopherol and selenium were influenced by the interaction of α-TOA and Zn. The interaction of α-TOA and Zn affected malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration in serum and liver (p < 0.05). Incremental amounts of supplemental Zn augmented the effects of α-TOA in reducing serum and hepatic MDA concentrations.4. The interaction of α-TOA and Zn on antibody titres (p < 0.05) was such that increasing level of Zn at each α-TOA level led to a linear enhancement in antibody titre. Moreover, dietary supplementation with α-TOA and Zn resulted in an increase in relative weight of lymphoid organs (thymus, bursa, spleen; p < 0.05) along with an increase in humoral and cellular immune responses (p < 0.05).5. In conclusion, α-TOA with Zn showed interactive effects in improving oxidative stability and humoral immune responses, which could result from their impact on the concentrations of antioxidant vitamins and minerals in tissues.

Comparison of growth performance and immune responses of broiler chicks reared under heat stress, cold stress and thermoneutral conditions

This study was conducted to compare the effects of thermal stress on growth performance and some immunity variables of broiler chickens. Birds were randomly assigned to one of three thermal treatments as follows: cold stress (CS, 12±1°C), (b) heat stress (HS, 33±3 °C) and (c) thermoneutral (TN, 24±2 °C). Body weight gain (BWG), feed intake (FI), water intake (WI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were recorded. In order to evaluate the primary and secondary humoral immune responses, two birds per replicate were intravenously administrated with a suspension of 7% sheep red blood cell (SRBC) at 28 and 35 days. The heat-stressed broiler chickens had lower FI (-14.90%), BWG (-25.71%) and higher FCR (+13.06%) in comparison to broiler chickens reared under TN condition (p&lt;0.001) from 1 to 42 days of age. The cold-stressed broiler chickens showed lower FI (-22.05%), BWG (-38.32%) and higher FCR (+22.47%) in comparison to birds reared under TN conditions (p&lt;0.001). Stressed birds (CS and HS) showed decreased antibody titer against SRBC, lymphocyte count and the relative weights of lymphoid organs and increased heterophil count, heterophil to lymphocyte ratio and the serum concentration of corticosterone, in comparison to birds in TN group (p&lt;0.001). In conclusion, HS and CS conditions have similar negative effects on performance and immunity of broiler chickens.

Effects of dietary 1 alpha-hydroxycholecalciferol in calcium and phosphorous-deficient diets on growth performance, tibia related indices and immune responses in broiler chickens.

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary 1α-hydroxycholecalciferol (1α-OH-D3) in calcium (Ca)- and phosphorous (P)-deficient diets on growth performance, carcass characteristics, tibia related parameters, and immune responses of broiler chickens. A total of 280 one-day-old broiler chickens (Ross 308) were assigned to 20 floor pens and 4 dietary treatments with 5 replicates. Dietary treatments consisted of starter diets (starter diet of treatment A: 1% Ca, 0.73% total phosphorus [tP]; starter diet of treatment B: 0.85% Ca, 0.64% tP + 5 μg/kg of 1α-OH-D3; starter diet of treatment C: 0.85% Ca, 0.59% tP + 5 μg/kg of 1α-OH-D3; starter diet of treatment D: 0.85% Ca, 0.54% tP + 5 μg/kg of 1α-OH-D3), grower diets (grower diet of treatment A: 0.86% Ca, 0.68% tP; grower diet of treatment B: 0.73% Ca, 0.59% tP + 5 μg/kg of 1α-OH-D3; grower diet of treatment C: 0.73% Ca, 0.55% tP + 5 μg/kg of 1α-OH-D3; grower diet of treatment D: 0.73% Ca, 0.50% tP + 5 μg/kg of 1α-OH-D3) and finisher diets (finisher diet of treatment A: 0.81% Ca, 0.64% tP; finisher diet of treatment B: 0.68% Ca, 0.56% tP + 5 μg/kg of 1α-OH-D3; finisher diet of treatment C: 0.68% Ca, 0.52% tP + 5 μg/kg of 1α-OH-D3; finisher diet of treatment D: 0.68% Ca, 0.48% tP + 5 μg/kg of 1α-OH-D3). Results showed that body weight gain (BWG) and feed intake (FI) of broilers in treatment B were similar to those of broilers in treatment A at the end of the trial (P < 0.05). Broilers in treatments C and D had lower BWG and FI than those in treatment A during the whole trial (P < 0.05). Feed conversion ratio, carcass traits and relative weight of lymphoid organs were not affected by dietary treatments (P > 0.05). Dietary treatments had no significant effect on antibody titers against Newcastle and Influenza disease viruses as well as sheep red blood cells. Dietary treatments had no significant effects on tibia ash and tibial dyschondroplasia score. Broilers fed Ca-P deficient diets had lower tibia Ca and P than those in treatment A (P < 0.05). In conclusion, results indicated that broilers fed Ca-P deficient diets supplemented with 5 μg/kg 1α-OH-D3 failed to achieve the same tibia Ca and P values as broilers fed nonphytate phosphorus adequate diets.

Effects of dietary arginine levels on body weight, relative lymphoid organ weight, and serum and intestinal immunological variables in young Lohmann Brown chickens

Effects of dietary arginine levels on body weight, relative lymphoid organ weight, and serum and intestinal immunological variables in young Lohmann Brown chickens

Effects of dietary physical form and dietary inclusion of probiotic and enzyme on growth performance, cellular and humoral immunity, and relative weights of lymphoid organs at early period of broiler chickens fed triticale-based diets

The aim of the present study was to investigate interactions between feed form and dietary inclusion of probiotics (live organisms) and enzymes on growth performance, cellular and humoral immunity, and relative weights of lymphoid organs of broiler chicks fed a triticale-based diet. A total of 640 broiler chicks were allocated to eight treatments when they were one day old, with four replicates (n = 20 chicks in each). The dietary treatments consisted of feed form (pellets or mash) and dietary supplementation with or without a Bacillus-based probiotic (0.03% diet) and enzyme (carbohydrase, 0.05% diet) in a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) was calculated based on feed intake (FI) and weight gain (WG). The WG of the broiler chicks fed the pelleted diets containing the enzyme and probiotic (alone or in combination) was greater than that of the birds fed the mash diets without these additives. Significant interaction effects of the enzyme and probiotic on FCR and FI were observed in the starter period. The heterophil : lymphocyte (H : L) ratio of the chicks fed the pelleted diet containing the enzyme and probiotic was lower than that of the birds fed the other diets. The cellular immunity of the birds fed this diet increased after 24 hours, as shown by the results of a challenge experiment with dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) or an injection of phytohemagglutinin (PHA). In conclusion, feed form and supplementation of a triticale-based diet with feed enzymes and probiotics can greatly improve the growth performance and immunity of broiler chicks. Keywords : Dinitrochlorobenzene, Di-Pro probiotic, phytohemagglutinin, Rovabio enzyme, spleen, viscosity

Alleviation of thermal and overcrowding stress in finishing broilers by dietary propolis supplementation

The current study investigated the efficacy of propolis supplementation (bee glue; BG) on ameliorating overcrowding and heat stress-induced impairment of growth performance, immunity, some stress indicators, and jejunum morphology in broilers. Three hundred eighty 21-d-old Ross 308 male broilers were randomly divided into 6 treatments. From d 22, the birds were either kept at thermoneutral zone (22 °C) or subjected to cyclic heat stress by exposing them daily to 32 °C for 10 h (from 0800 to 1800) and 22 °C from 1800 to 0800. The 2 levels of stocking density include the experimental groups with low stocking density (LSD; 10 chickens/m2) and those with a HSD (18 chickens/m2). A basal diet supplemented with BG (4 g/kg of diet) was fed to 2 groups, one with HSD and the other with LSD. The heat stress resulted in a significant decrease in broiler performance, coefficient of ileal digestibility (CIAD) of nitrogen (N), apparent metabolisable energy (AME), relative weight of lymphoid organs, morphometric indices, and increased mRNA levels of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) in breast muscle. Overcrowding stress reduced performance parameters, heterophil:lymphocyte (H:L) ratio but increased levels of IgA, IgM, nitric oxide (NO), corticosterone (CS), and HSP70. Growth performance, CIAD of N, AME, relative lymphoid organs weight, and jejunum villus height were increased by BG supplementation in the chickens stocked at HSD than those housed at LSD. In addition, BG supplementation reduced blood NO and CS concentrations, and mRNA levels of HSP70 but elevated H:L ratio in heat-stressed broiler compared those reared under thermoneutral zone. It was concluded that dietary use of BG as a feed supplement can reduce some of the detrimental effects of heat stress and HSD in broilers.

Influence of supplementation three type of Phytogenic plants in diet on growth Performance, intestinal microflora and immunity of Broiler Cobb-500.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of three herbal medical plants, Chamomile flowers (Matericariachamomilla L), Black cumin seeds (Nigella sativa L) and Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) on growth performance, carcass characteristics, immune system, and intestinal bacterial populations in broiler Cobb-500.A total of two hundred forty (240) Cobb500, one-day old broiler chicks were randomly divided to four experimental groups (60) chicks/treatment, which divided to (3) replicates (20 Chicks / replicate).The dietary treatments were: (T1) basal diet as control, (T2) basal diet plus 1kg of Chamomile flowers(Matericariachamomilla L) to 100kg diet, (T3) basal diet plus 1kg Black cumin seeds(Nigella sativa L) to 100 kg diet, .(T4) basal diet plus 1kg of the Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) to 100 kg diet. The experiment was lasted for (42) days. Live body weight (LBW), Weight Gain (WG), Feed Intake (FI), Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) were measured at the end of feeding program ( 21, 35 and 42 days) of age. At the end of the experiment carcass characteristics, immunological properties such as antibody titer against Newcastle disease virus as well as relative weight of bursa fabricia, spleen and total mortality rate were measured. The groups fed (T2) Chamomile flowers (Matericariachamomilla L) and (T3) Black cumin seeds (Nigella sativa) showed significantly (p&gt;0.05) higher value for Live body weight (LBW) as compared with (T1, T4) groups. No significant differences were observed in feed conversion ratio (FCR) and total Feed intake (FI) at period (1-42 days). Results showed that total Mortality decreased significantly (p&lt;0.05) in all treatment compared with those birds fed control group (T1). The results showed that relative weights of lymphoid organs (spleen, bursa fabrecius) as an indicator of the immune system condition was significant (P&lt;0.05) high weight of spleen observed at all treatments with supplementation of dietary herbs compared with control group (T1)..Antibody responses to Newcastle Disease were improved significantly (p&lt;0.05) antibody levels increased by treatments (T3, T4). The result shows that treatments (T3, T4) were lead to significantly (p&lt;0.05) decreased of total counts of coliform bacterial in jejunum compared with (T1, T2) groups.

Immunomodulatory effect of Moringa peregrina leaves, ex vivo and in vivo study.

This study was conducted to assess the in vivo and ex vivo immunomodulatory effect of the ethanol leaves extract of Moringa peregrina in Balb/c mice. For this study, five groups of 5 Balb/c mice were given a single acute subtoxic oral dose of the ethanolic extract at 1.13, 11.30, 23.40 and 113.4 mg/kg and the immunomodulatory effect was assessed on the 6th day following the ingestion. In the (non-functional) assessment, the effect of the extract on the body weight, relative lymphoid organ weight, splenic cellularity and peripheral blood hematologic parameters were evaluated. While in the immunomodulation assessment (functional), we investigated the effect of the extract on the proliferative capacity of splenic lymphocytes and peripheral T and B lymphocytes using mitogen blastogenesis, mixed allogeneic MLR and IgM-Plaque forming cells assays. The ingestion of M. peregrina extract caused a significant increase in the body weight, weight and number of cells of spleen and lymph nodes of the treated mice. Furthermore, the count of RBCs, WBCs, platelets, hemoglobin concentration and PCV % were increased by the extract treatment in a dose-dependent manner. M. peregrina enhanced the proliferative responses of splenic lymphocytes for both T cell and B-cell mitogens. Likewise, the mixed lymphocyte reaction MLR assay has revealed a T-cell dependent proliferation enhancement in the extract treated mice. Moreover, the oral administration of M. peregrina leaves extracts significantly increased PFCs/106 splenocytes in a dose-dependent manner. In conclusion, subtoxic acute doses of M. peregrina extract demonstrated significant potential as an immunomodulatory agent even at the lowest dose of 1.13 mg/kg.

Effect of Stocking Density on the Performance and Immunity of 1- to 14-d- Old Broiler Chicks

ABSTRACT The current experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of stocking density (SD) on the performance and immunity of 1- to 14-d-old broilers. A total of 1836 one-day-old Cobb 500 broilers were housed at four different SD (30, 60, 90 and 120 chicks/m2). Body weight gain (BWG), feed intake (FI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were estimated on d 2, 5, 8, 11 and 14. Relative lymphoid organ weights, maternal antibody titers against IBV, IBD and NDV, and stress indicators were estimated on d 3, 6, 9 and 12.The results indicated that age significantly (p<0.001) affected the performance and immunity of broiler chicks. Stocking density significantly (p<0.001) affected the performance and physiological stress indicators of broiler chicks, but not maternal immunity, relative lymphoid organ weights, or blood glucose levels. A significant interaction between age and density was determined for BWG, FI and FCR, and maternal antibody titers against IBD and NDV. The results also indicated that the effects of SD were age-dependent: as SD increased, worse performance, lighter lymphoid organs, and stronger stress responses were observed as broilers aged. It is concluded that the higher the SD during the first two weeks of life, the worse is the performance as broilers age.

The effect of dietary fructooligosaccharide supplementation on growth performance, intestinal morphology, and immune responses in broiler chickens challenged with Salmonella Enteritidis lipopolysaccharides

This study was conducted to examine the effects of fructooligosaccharide (FOS) supplementation on growth performance, lymphoid organ weight, intestinal morphology, and immunological status in broilers (n = 180) challenged with Salmonella Enteritidis lipopolysaccharides (LPS). Birds were randomly assigned into a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement that included 1) 3 dietary treatments from d one to 21: positive control (PC), wheat-corn-soybean meal based diet contained antibiotics (virginiamycin and monensin); negative control (NC), as PC without antibiotics; and NC + FOS, as NC supplemented with 0.5% FOS, and 2) 2 intraperitoneal injections: 2 mg/kg Salmonella Enteritidis LPS or sterile phosphate buffered saline (PBS) on d 21. Growth performance and relative lymphoid organ weight were not significantly different among the treatments. Villus height, crypt depth, and total mucosa thickness were significantly increased (P < 0.05) in the ileum of broiler chickens fed NC + FOS when compared to PC and NC. Birds in NC + FOS treatment had reduced heterophil but increased monocyte count when compared to NC (P < 0.05). Significant diet × challenge interaction was observed on natural IgY levels (P < 0.0001), and a significant dietary effect was observed on specific IgY levels in chickens fed NC + FOS (P = 0.003). Supplementation of FOS also increased the expression of interleukin (IL)-1ß, -10, and interferon (IFN)-γ mRNA in the ileum of the birds. In summary, Salmonella Enteritidis LPS challenge established significant differences in the immune responses in broiler chickens. FOS supplementation increased ileal mucosa thickness and elevated the expressions of certain cytokine genes. It also led to the alteration of leukocyte compositions and serum IgY levels in response to LPS challenge, suggesting FOS supplementation may be effective to induce protective outcomes in gut health and immunity of broiler chickens.

EFFECT OF FEEDING DIFFERENT DIETARY ENERGY LEVELS ON PRODUCTIVE AND PHYSIOLOGICAL PERFORMANCE OF BROILER CHICKS UNDER DIFFERENT HOUSING SYSTEMS

An experiment was conducted to determine and compare the differences in productive and physiological performance of broiler chicks fed three different dietary energy levels under two housing systems on floor pens and in cages. The model trial was conducted with 180 Hubbard broiler chicks from 0 to 5 weeks of age, chicks were distributed in a completely randomized design with 3(E) X 2 (R) factorial arrangement 3(E) ME levels: low, medium and high and 2(R) housing systems (floor pens and cages), resulting in a total of 6 treatments with 3 replicates of 10 chicks each.The results indicated that:- Productive performance of broiler chicks: live body weight (LBW), daily weight gain (DWG), feed intake (FI), feed conversion ratio (FCR), performance index (PI) and production efficiency factor (PEF) were not affected by the (E) interaction between three energy levels and two housing systems, (E) energy levels and (R) housing system at whole experimental period.- Blood plasma parameters were not affected by E interaction between energy levels and housing system except plasma albumin. Floor pens that raised broiler chicks had significantly (P≤0.05) lower plasma albumin than that those of the cage reared ones, being (2.01 vs. 3.03 g/dl).- Carcass traits and relative weight of lymphoid organs were not affected by R * E interaction, except dressing to cook percentages.- Feeding economical efficiency showed that, floor pens that raised broiler chicks had higher mean (REE) than those of the cages reared ones and REE was improved for broiler chicks only by feeding high energy level (floor pens) or low energy level (cages).

Effect of zinc oxide nanoparticles on carcass parameters, relative weight of digestive and lymphoid organs of broiler fed wet diet during the starter period

The aim of the trial was to investigate the effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) on the carcass yield, digestive and lymphoid organs weighted index of broilers fed wet diet during the starter period. A total of 300 one-day old male broilers (Ross- 308) were randomly allotted to 5 treatments and 4 replicates and a total of 20 experimental units and 15 broilers in each replicate in a completely randomized design. The study was performed during the starter period (1-21d). The results showed that the addition of ZnO-NPs in fed wet diet at the age of 21 days had significantly affected on the percentage carcass of broilers than dry rations and control (P<0.05). The highest and lowest percentage of carcass in T3 (dry ration+200mg of NPs-ZnO) and T2 (dry ration+100mg of ZnO-NPs) was observed (P<0.05). Wet diet containing 200 mg of ZnO-NPs had significantly increased the relative weight of the proventriculus when compared to other treatments (P<0.05). In addition, dry diet is treated with 100 mg of ZnO-NPs significantly increased the relative weight of the pancreas compared to the other treatments (P<0.05). Although, no significant relative weight of lymphoid organs, but the maximum weight percent related to treatments containing zinc oxide nanoparticles observed. According to the data of the present study could be concluded that adding ZnO-NPs to dry diets compared to wet diet probability improve carcasses yield and increase relative weight of digestive and lymphoid organs of broilers during the starter period.

Ammonia concentration and relative humidity in poultry houses affect the immune response of broilers.

To investigate the effect of ammonia (NH3) and humidity on the immune response of broilers, broilers were exposed to 30 or 70 mg/kg atmospheric NH3 for 21 days. Additionally, birds were exposed to 35, 60, and 85% relative humidity (RH). The relative weights of lymphoid organs, serum total protein, serum globulin, serum albumin, serum lysozyme, proliferation index of peripheral blood lymphocytes, and splenic cytokine gene expression were determined. Exposure to 70 mg/kg NH3 decreased the relative weight of the spleen during the experimental period, serum lysozyme concentration in the first and second weeks, and serum globulin concentration in the third week. The proliferation of peripheral blood lymphocytes was reduced. High levels of NH3 caused increase in IL-1β gene expression in the experimental period and IL-4 gene expression in the first week. Birds exposed to 85% RH had lower thymus and bursa of Fabricius weights in the third week and serum lysozyme concentration in the first week; IL-1β and IL-4 expressions were higher in the second and third weeks and first and second weeks, respectively, than in birds exposed to 60% RH. IL-4 expression was lower during the first week, and IL-1β expression was higher during the second week with 35% RH than with 60% RH. In conclusion, high NH3 level in the poultry house suppressed the immune response of broiler chickens. Neither high nor low RH benefited the immune response of broilers. Furthermore, there was an interactive effect between NH3 and RH on the immune response of broilers.

Anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activity of a methanol extract from Vitellaria paradoxa stem bark.

Background:Vitellaria paradoxa is a traditional medicinal plant of Cameroon. Several studies on this plant have focused on the cosmetic profile of its fruits. The present study focuses on the anti-inflammatory potency of stem barks extract of this plant.Objective:The objective was to evaluate the effect of methanolic extract of V. paradoxa (VPME) stem barks on inflammatory response in rats.Materials and Methods:Anti-inflammatory effects of VPME were evaluated in acute and chronic (28 days) inflammation induced in Wistar albino rats. The effects on hyperalgesia and locomotors activity were also quantified. The relative weight of lymphoid organs was obtained as well as some hematological parameters.Results:In the carrageenan-induced inflammation, VPME (75 mg/kg) exhibited a significant (66.67%) inhibition after 1 h. On the complete Freund's adjuvant-induced rheumatoid arthritis, VPME showed a significant protective effect with 8.12% inflammation against 25.00% for the control group after 2 days of the treatment. The extract (75 and 150 mg/kg) significantly reduced the score of arthritis with a maximum obtained on day 19th of the experimentation. There was a significant increase in the reaction time of rats on the hot plate as well as the exploratory activities of the animals in the open field. This extract significantly prevented weight, hemoglobin and red blood cells losses, and spleen hypertrophy. A protective action against skin destruction and cartilage erosion was evident. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of the extract revealed the presence of catechins.Conclusions:These findings suggested that V. paradoxa may contribute to the reduction of the inflammatory response.

Improved performance and immunological responses as the result of dietary genistein supplementation of broiler chicks

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of supplemental genistein (an isoflavonoid) on performance, lymphoid organs’ development, and cellular and humoral immune responses in broiler chicks. A total of 675-day-old male broiler chicks (Ross 308) were randomly assigned to the five replicate pens (15 chicks each) of nine experimental diets. Dietary treatments included a negative (not-supplemented) control diet, two positive control groups (virginiamycin or zinc-bacitracin, 20 mg/kg), and diets containing 10, 20, 40, 80, 160 and 320 mg/kg of genistein. The cutaneous basophil hypersensivity (CBH) test was measured at day 10 of age after toe web injection with phytohemagglutinin-P. In addition, sera samples were collected after different antigen inoculations to investigate antibody responses. At day 28 of age, three randomly selected birds from each pen were euthanized to evaluate the relative weights of lymphoid organs. Results showed that dietary supplementation of both antibiotics increased (P<0.01) feed intake during 1 to 42 days of age. Furthermore, daily weight gain was influenced (P<0.01) by dietary treatments throughout the trial, so that the birds fed on antibiotics and 20 to 80 mg/kg genistein diets revealed the greater weight gains compared with other experimental groups. The best (P<0.05) feed conversion ratio assigned to the birds fed on diets containing antibiotics and moderate levels (40 to 80 mg/kg) of genistein. Although the relative weights of thymus (P<0.05) and bursa of Fabricius (P<0.01) were greater in birds fed on genistein-supplemented diets compared with antibiotics-supplemented birds, the spleen weight was not affected by experimental diets. Similarly, CBH response and antibody titers against Newcastle and infectious bronchitis disease viruses were markedly (P<0.05) greater in chicks fed on diets supplemented with 20 to 80 mg/kg of genistein. Interestingly, the higher dosages of genistein suppressed CBH and antibody responses to the levels seen by control and antibiotics chicks. Dietary inclusion of genistein increased (P<0.05) lymphocytes and subsequently reduced (P<0.01) heterophil to lymphocyte ratio. The present findings indicate that dietary genistein supplementation at the levels of 20 to 80 mg/kg not only improves growth performance, but also could beneficially affect immunological responses in broiler chicks.

The effect of egg powder inclusion in the pre-starter diet on the immune response of male broiler chickens

Abstract. A completely randomised design was performed to evaluate the effect of inclusion of egg powder in the pre-started diet (1–7 day age) on the immune response of male broiler chickens. Experimental pre-starter diets formulated to have 0, 20, 40 or 60 g/kg egg powder. The relative weight of lymphoid organs (spleen and bursa) was reduced, in days 7 and 42 of age, by graded inclusion of egg powder in the pre-starter period (P≤0.05). The highest antibody titre against Newcastle disease virus (NDV) and Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) in days 7 and 42 of age was for chickens fed the diet containing 60 g/kg egg powder in the pre-starter diet (P≤0.05). At day 7 of age, birds fed the diet containing egg powder had a higher antibody titre against Infectious bursal disease virus (IB) compared to the control group (P≤0.05), but at day 42 of age, there was no significant difference between the treatments (P&gt;0.05). There was no difference (P&gt;0.05) among the treatments for the titre against sheep red blood cells and immune response against dinitrochlorobenzene. It was concluded that the inclusion of egg powder to the pre-starter diet could significantly enhance the immune response of the male broiler chickens.

Effect of supplementing organic selenium on performance, carcass traits, oxidative parameters and immune responses in commercial broiler chickens.

An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of supplementing various concentrations (0, 100, 200, 300, or 400 μg/kg diet) of organic Se on growth performance, carcass traits, oxidative stress, and immune responses in commercial broiler chickens reared in open-sided poultry house under tropical climatic conditions. Each diet was fed ad libitum to eight replicates consisting of six birds in each pen from 1 to 42 d of age. Body weight gain and feed efficiency, and relative weight of liver, abdominal fat and ready to cook yields were not affected (p>0.05) by organic Se supplementation to broiler diets. Lipid peroxidation in plasma decreased, while activities of glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase in plasma increased (p<0.01) linearly with Se concentration in diet. The ratios between heterophyls and lymphocytes and relative weight of lymphoid organs (bursa, spleen, and thymus), and antibody production to Newcastle disease vaccination were not affected (p>0.05) by Se supplementation to broiler diets. However, the cell-mediated immunity (lymphocyte proliferation ratio) increased (p<0.01) linearly with dietary Se concentration. The results of the present study indicate that the supplementation of Se did not influence body weight and feed efficiency. However, supplementation of Se increased antioxidant status and lymphocyte proliferation in broiler chickens.

Prebiyotik İlavesinin Yem Kısıtlaması ve Salmonella enteritidis İnokulasyonu İle Kombine Stres Altındaki Broylerlerde Sıvısal ve Hücresel İmmun Yanıt Üzerine Etkileri

Summary This experiment was conducted to investigate the impacts of prebiotic on humoral and cell-mediated immune responses of broilers under combined stresses caused by feed restriction and Salmonella enteritidis challenge. 320 male broilers (Ross 308) at a 23 factorial arrangement in randomized complete block design were divided into 8 treatment groups with 4 replicates per each. The Impact of these factors and their interaction on cell-mediated immune response to cutaneous basophil hypersensivity (CBH) test, antibody titer response against Newcastle disease virus (NDV) and sheep red blood cell (SRBC), and the relative weight of lymphoid organs were measured. Prebiotic caused an increase and feed restriction caused a decrease in cell-mediated immune responses on days 15 and 30 respectively, and interaction among the factors was differ (P 0.05).

EFFECT OF MYCOFIX +3 IN TOXICITY REDUCTION OF T-2 TOXIN IN QUAILS

Sixty newly hatched unsexed brown local quail chicks were fed diets containing 4 ppm T-2 toxin singly or in combination with the mycofix+3.0 adsorbent at a rate of (0.25%) for a period of 42 days, to investigate their effects on performance and blood profile. Birds were randomly allotted to three groups of 20 each ( with two replicates), i.e., control, T-2, and T-2 +Mycofix+3. Significant (P≤0.05) reduction in quail performance was observed from the first week onwards in the toxin fed birds compared to other groups. Mortality reaches 25% in toxin fed group. Significant (P≤0.05) reduction in the relative weight of lymphoid organs and pancreas were noted , while there was an increase in the weight of liver, proventriculus and gizzard compared with control group. Significant (P ≤ 0.05) reduction in blood picture, differential lymphocytes count, triglycerides and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and a significant (P≤0.05) increase in heterophils, glucose, serum enzymes Aspartate aminotrasferase (AST), Alanine aminotrasferase (ALT), and stress factor between control and toxin treated group was observed. Addition of mycofix+3.0 at a rate of (0.25%) was significantly (p≤0.05) improved performance, restored internal organ weights, and blood parameters to that of control. In conclusion, it was clear that the addition of mycofix is effective in averting the toxicity of T-2 toxin in quails. Key words Japanese quail - T2 toxin -mycofix+3–performance- blood parameters