The influence of phytoncides on the immune system of broiler chickens and turkeys

Abstract

The aim of our study was to investigate the influence of adiSalmoSOL PF dietary supplement, given for 3 days in drinking water, on selected parameters of cell-mediated (Experiment I) and humoral (Experiment II) immunity in chicken and Turkey broilers. In Experiment I, birds were randomly divided into two groups of 10 birds each. Group 1 comprised control Turkeys or chickens, whereas group 2 birds were administered adiSalmoSOL PF. In Experiment II, a total of 69 chickens were divided into three groups (1-3) of 23 birds each. At the age of 25 days, group 1 was given adiSalmoSOL PF. Birds from groups 1-3 were vaccinated at 28 days of age. Group 2 was given adiSalmoSOL PF after vaccination. In Experiment I, a significant increase in percentages of CD 4+T lymphocytes in the bursa of Fabricius, cecal tonsils and spleen, CD 8+T lymphocytes in the thymus and spleen, CD 4+CD 8+T lymphocytes in the bursa of Fabricius and ileal mucosa and IgM+B lymphocyte in the ileal mucosa were observed in group 2 chickens. In Experiment I, a significant increase in percentages of CD 4+T lymphocytes in the thymus and spleen, CD 8+ T lymphocytes in the cecal tonsils and blood, and CD 4+CD 8+T lymphocytes in the thymus and ileal mucosa was recorded in group 2 Turkeys. No differences in percentages of IgM+B lymphocytes were observed between Turkey groups. In Experiment II, the highest post-vaccination titers of anti-IB antibodies were observed in group 2, but it was not statistically significant. The results of our study indicate that adiSalmoSOL PF showed immunomodulatory activity in chickens and Turkeys.