DIETARY SUPPLEMENTATION OF SPIRULINA PLATENSIS ON GROWTH AND IMMUNE RESPONSE OF BROILER CHICKEN
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Date
2008
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COLLEGE OF VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES-MANNUTHY,THRISSUR
Abstract
The present experiment was aimed at investigating growth promoting and
immunomodulating effects of Spirulina platensis in broiler chicken. Thirty two numbers
of day-old broiler (Vencob strain) chicks were procured and reared in battery cages under
standard management conditions up to sixth week of age. The birds were randomly
divided into four groups, viz. GI, GII, GUI and GIV, having eight birds in each group.
Birds in groups GI (control) were fed with standard broiler starter ration (from first to
fourth week) and standard finisher ration (from fifth to sixth week). The experimental
groups GII, GUI and GIV were fed with standard rations supplemented with Spirulina
platensis at the rate of 0.50 per cent, 1.50 per cent and 3.00 per cent, respectively. Both
control and experimental rations were made isocaloric and isonitrogenous. Birds were
provided with ad libitum feed and clean drinking water throughout the experiment.
Bodyweight of individual birds were recorded on day one, eight, 15, 22, 29, 36
and 43. Blood was collected at fourth, fifth and sixth week of age and whole
blood/plasma was used for further estimations. Estimation of total erythrocyte count
(TEC), blood haemoglobin concentration (Hb), volume of packed red cells (VPRC), total
leukocyte count (TEC), differential leukocyte count (DEC), and blood glucose was made
using whole blood samples. Blood plasma was utilised for estimation of concentrations of
total protein, albumin, globulin, total lipid, total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL
cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and VLDL cholesterol. Erythrocytic indices (MCV, MCH
and MCHC), heterophil: lymphocyte (H:L) ratio and albumin; globulin (A:G) ratio were
calculated from the respective values. The data was analysed by Split plot analysis (Split
on time) as suggested by Rangaswamy (1995).
Bodyweight of Spirulina-fed birds (GII, GUI and GIV) were significantly
(P<0.01) higher than that of control group throughout the experiment in an age and dose
dependent way. Significant (P<0.01) age and dose dependent increase in TEC, Hb,
VPRC, MCH and MCHC and decrease in MCV values were observed in Spirulina-fed
groups, suggesting strong erythropoietic effect of Spirulina. Significant (P<0.01) age and
dose dependent increase in total leukocyte and lymphocyte counts and decrease in
heterophil, eosinophil, and monocyte counts were noticed in Spirulina-fed groups. Total leukocyte count was higher in Spirulina-fed birds, but without increase in heterophil count, ruling out the possibility of inflammatory responses. Additionally, reduced stress
and more vigilant humoral immunity could be the implication.
Also, Spirulina induced significantly (P< 0.01) more plasma albumin and plasma globulin, and thus, total plasma protein output in the recipients. Since the albumin: globulin (A:G) ratio did not change significantly, both these classes of proteins were equally promoted. This would mean a general boost up in plasma protein output by the liver as well as more immunoglobulin production by the lymphocytes. Increased number of lymphocytes in Spirulina-fed birds could be attributed to the higher plane of globulins in this experiment. Plasma lipid profile showed age and dose dependent lowering of total lipid, cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL and VLDL cholesterol in Spirulina-fed groups compared to control group, indicating that Spirulina would reduce lipid level, especially the 'undesirable' fractions, signifying the hypolipidaemic / lipolytic activity of the alga. The significant (P<0.01) hypoglycaemic effect of Spirulina supplementation in the present study may indicate an anti-diabetic effect, which may indicate, in turn, propensity
to have more lean meat than fatty meat in the subjects.
The growth-promoting and erythropoietic effects of Spirulina platensis in broiler chicken may indicate its effectiveness as a nutritional supplement, while the hypolipidaemic and hypoglycaemic effects may imply better consumer safety and desirability to the broiler meat, which intum, can potentially fetch premium price to the
produce in the market.
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