Abstract of research

CLINICOPATHOLOGICAL STUDY ON THE EFFECT OF BETA-GLUCAN ON HEMATOLOGICAL AND IMMUNOLOGICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL CHANGES IN BROILER CHICKS

Salim, H.A.a, Abd-Allah, O. A.b, and Fararh, K.M.a

Abstract

The present study was conducted on “Hubbard breeds” broilers to evaluate the effect of feeding prebiotic (Beta-glucan) on leukocytes, some biochemical blood parameters and immune response in normal and Salmonella infected chicks. Eighty, one day old broiler chicks were randomly divided into four equal groups as follow: control group, prebiotic fed group (NPRE), infected group with Salmonella typhimurium non-treated (INT) and infected treated group (IPRE). Beta-glucan was used as Prebiotic. Results of prebiotic supplementation revealed significant leukocytosis and lymphocytosis, hyperprotinemia, hyperglobinemia, and significant decrease in triglycerides, total cholesterol, and glucose concentration with no significant change in the values of AST, ALT, uric acid and creatinine concentration, also significant increase in HI titer, phagocytic activity and phagocytic index were observed. On the other hand, infection with Salmonella typhimurium showed leukocytosis, heterophilia and lymphopenia, hypoproteinemia, hypoalbuminemia, elevation of liver enzymes activities (AST and ALT), uric acid, and creatinine concentration, which indicate liver and kidney damage. Immunological parameters revealed increase in serum alpha and beta globulins, and significant decrease in Phagocytic activity and Phagocytic index. In IPRE group results showed decreased elevated liver enzymes, uric acid and creatinine, as well as increase the reduction in protein, albumin, HI titer, phagocytic activity and phagocytic index. From the obtained results it could be concluded that prebiotic Beta Polo (Beta-glucan) had clear impact in increasing leukocyte and immune response, which appeared to reduce the severity of Salmonella typhimurium infection, serum lipids and improvement of hepato-renal functions.