Abstract
Aim: The effect of a specific combination of a soluble beta(1-3) D-Glucan and Propionibacterium granulosum (Betamune (R)) was investigated on productive performance, immune response and immune dysfunction caused by cyclophosphamide (CP) in broiler chickens. Materials and
Methods: Three hundred and sixty one-day-old broiler chicks were randomly allocated into four groups for 5 weeks. Betamune r supplementation of 0.25 ml / L drinking water (presence or absence) for the first 7 days of age and CP (presence or absence) subcutaneous inoculation with 4 mg / chick for the first 3 days of life was done.
Results: Treatment of broiler chicks with Betamune (R) improved productive performance variables as compared with the blank control birds, where there were 10 points less in cumulative feed conversion ratio and significant increase (P< 0.05) in final body weight, both intestinal length and diameter, and European production efficiency factor (EPEF). It also modulated the immune response, where there was non-significant improve in haemagglutination inhibition (HI) antibody titers against Newcastle disease (ND) virus vaccine and significant increase (P<0.05) in phagocytic % and phagocytic index. The lesion score after ND challenge reached only 70 in beta(1-3) D-Glucan group as compared with 80 in blank control group. The histomorphological examination of Betamune (R) treated chickens at 5 weeks of age revealed lymphoid hyperplasia in bursal follicles, lymphoid cells of cortical portion of thymus glands and lymphoid cells in the white pulps of spleen. CP did affect bird's weight and suppressed immune system. Treatment CP suppressed birds with Betamune r significantly increased (P<0.05) final body weight, dressing weight %, giblets weight %, intestinal diameter, improved FCR (28 points less than untreated group), decreased cumulative mortality and improved EPEF. Betamune (R) counter attacked immune dysfunction caused by CP, where there was significant increase in HI antibody titer against ND vaccine, no significant increase in phagocytic % and phagocytic index and improve in the lesion score after ND challenge (99 as compared to 133). Betamune (R) supplementation reduced microscopic lesion scores associated with CP immune dysfunction.
Conclusion: It could be concluded that administration of a specific combination of soluble beta 1.3, D-Glucan and Propionibacterium granulosum (Betamune r) to broiler chickens improved chicken zootechnical performance response variables, had a potent immunomodulatory effect (potentiated immune response), evoked their immune response and enhanced their vaccination effectiveness.