Comparative efficacy of supplementation of natural (Citrous limon Juice), herbal and synthetic vitamin C on the immune response of broiler chicken during summer stress

Abstract

The hematological and immunological study was undertaken on 488 Ven-cobb straight run commercial broiler chicks for period of one week divided into four treatments viz., T0, T1, T2 and T3 on the onset of fifth week of age. The treatment T0 was the control without supplementation of vitamin C. The birds in treatment T1, T2 and T3 were supplemented with 5 mL Citrus limon juice, 2 mL herbal vitamin C and 1 g synthetic vitamin C per 100 birds, respectively through drinking water. The results of the study indicated that Heterophill percentage was significantly (p≤0.05) decreased in treatment T1, T2 and T3 as compared to control T0. Similarly, the Lymphocyte percentage was significantly (p≤0.05) increased in treatment T1, T2 and T3 than the control T0. The Heterophil: Lymphocyte ratio was significantly (p≤0.05) lower in treatment T1, followed by T3, T2 and T0. The weight of bursa of fabricious and spleen was significantly (p≤0.05) higher in T1 followed by T3, T2 and T0. The rectal temperature of birds was decreased significantly (p≤0.05) T1, T2 and T3 as compared to control group. Carcass traits did not differ significantly among the different groups except the percent giblet weight was significantly higher in T1. The overall study conclude that, the Citrus limon juice, herbal vitamin C and synthetic vitamin C has beneficial significant effect in alleviating the Summer stress in broiler chicken. However, the better results were found with Citrus limon juice as compared to herbal and synthetic vitamin C. © 2009 Academic Journals Inc.