Evaluation of Avena sativa Derived Arabinoxylans as Native Biological Response Modifiers in Broilers

Abstract

This study was aimed to assess the immunomodulatory effects of Avena sativa (oat) derived arabinoxylans (AXs) in chickens. The extracted AXs were evaluated for immunological and immunotherapeutic activities against coccidiosis in chickens. Oat derived AXs significantly enhanced (P<0.05) the in vitro and in vivo lympho-proliferative responses to T-cell mitogens in chicken. Moreover, significantly higher (P<0.05) humoral immune retorts in terms of antibody titres (GMT) to sheep red blood cells (SRBCs), Newcastle disease and Infectious bursal disease vaccines were also detected in AXs administered chickens; whereas, the difference in organ-body weight ratios was statistically non-significant between AXs administered and control chickens (P>0.05). Results of the challenge experiment revealed that the daily weight gains and percent protection were statistically higher (P<0.05); while, mean oocysts per gram of droppings and lesion scores were lower (P<0.05) in the AXs administered chickens than the control group. In conclusion, oat derived AXs had immunopotentiating potential that persisted against coccidial infection in chickens.

Evaluation of biological response modification and immunotherapeutic activities of barley-derived arabinoxylans against coccidiosis in commercial broilers

“…The higher humoral immune responses in barley AXadministered chickens might be due to stimulatory effects of polysaccharides on the classical complement pathway in serum by their interaction with antibodies (43,44). Results of the present study are consistent with previous findings of similar studies that oral administration of sugars resulted in higher antibody titers to SRBCs in chickens artificially inoculated with Eimeria, elevated antibody response to SRBCs in immunocompromised chickens, increased serum antibody responses against SRBCs and Brucella abortus, and increased number of plasma cells in PBLs, enteric leukocytes, and splenocytes (4,36,37,39,45). Results of this study showed higher body weight gains and improved FCRs in chickens administered graded doses of barley AXs as compared to those of the control group.…”

“…Results of this study showed higher body weight gains and improved FCRs in chickens administered graded doses of barley AXs as compared to those of the control group. The improved body weight gains and FCRs in AX-administered birds might be correlated with the ability of AXs to reduce the environmental stress and infectious insults by immunostimulation (37).…”

“…Results of the present study revealed higher cellular immune responses in chickens administered barley-derived AXs as compared to those of the control group. The higher level of cellular immune responses in chickens administered a graded dose of AXs might be attributed to the enhanced effects on the phagocytic activity of macrophages that may cause increase in the thickness of the toe-web due to T-cell mitogens (36,37). Toe-web swelling in response to PHA-P in chickens due to enhanced delayed-type hypersensitivity suggested that the magnitude of immune response might be dependent on the function and number of lymphocytes (38,39).…”