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Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

Abstract

Present paper reports the effects of sugar cane juice (SCJ) on immune responses and its protection against Eimeria (mixed species) infections in broiler chickens. Experiment 1 was conducted to test the dose efficacy of SCJ and its effects on chickens against coccidiosis. Maximum weight gain per day was recorded in chickens given SCJ @ 400 mg/kg body weight. Significantly (P < 0.01) low mortality and increased body weight gain per day were recorded in chickens administered SCJ orally and challenged with mixed species of genus Eimeria. Furthermore, mild hemorrhages, lower lesion scores (+1), and significantly lower number of oocysts shed in faeces were recorded in immunized chickens compared to control. Experiment 2 was carried out to evaluate the immunomodulatory effects of SCJ on cellular and humoral responses. Highest antibody titres (1:1024-1:16; GMT 367.28) were recorded in chickens administered SCJ @ 400 mg/kg body weight in comparison with control (1:16-1:2; GMT 2.82). To demonstrate the cell mediated immunity (CMI), amplitude of toe-web swelling 72 h post avian tuberculin injection was recorded in the experimental and control groups. Maximum swelling (8.13 ± 0.21 mm) was recorded in the experimental group as compared to control (1.04 ± 0.10); indicating higher cell mediated immune response. From these results it was concluded that SCJ elicit a significantly higher cellular and humoral responses compared to control, which may provide protection against Eimeria infections (mixed species) in chickens.

DOI

-

Keywords

Sugar cane juice, immunomodulation, protection, chicken, coccidiosis

First Page

463

Last Page

467

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