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A study of the immunomodulatory effects of coconut oil extract in broilers experimentally infected with velogenic Newcastle disease virus |
Muhammad Wasim Usmani1,2,* 
, Farzana Rizvi2
, Muhammad Kashif Saleemi2
, Muhammad Zishan Ahmad3
, Muhammad Numan4
, Muhammad Zulqarnain Shakir2
, Nasir Mahmood2
, Jahanzeb Tahir2
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1Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Ziauddin University, Karachi, 75050, Pakistan
2Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, 37000, Pakistan
3PMAS, ARID Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, 46300, Pakistan
4Veterinary Research Institute, Lahore, Pakistan., Lahore, Pakistan |
Correspondence:
Muhammad Wasim Usmani, Tel: +92-3333303053, Fax: +92-475320122, Email: wasim.usmani@zu.edu.pk
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Received: 16 November 2023 • Revised: 7 December 2023 • Accepted: 2 March 2024 |
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| Abstract |
Objective
This study aims to evaluate the immunomodulatory effects of coconut oil extract (COE) in broilers experimentally infected with velogenic Newcastle disease virus (vNDV). Methods: A total of 150 broiler birds (day-old) were equally divided into five study groups i.e., negative control, positive control, COE-1, COE-2, and COE-3. On day 10, broilers of groups COE-1, COE-2, and COE-3 were supplemented with 1, 2, and 3 ml of COE respectively per liter of drinking water for 15 days. On day 13, 0.1ml/bird (10-5.25 ELD50) of vNDV was inoculated in broilers of positive control, COE-1, COE-2, and COE-3 groups intramuscularly. During this study, growth performance, morbidity, and mortality rates of each study group were recorded. The antibody titer against NDV was determined on days 7, 14, 21, 28, and 35. The levels of IgY and IgM were also determined on the 7th, 14th, and 21st days post-SRBC inoculation. On day 33, avian tuberculin was injected between the 1st and 2nd toes of the left side (intradermally) to measure lymphoproliferative responses. On day 35, the phagocytic activity in the blood was assessed through a carbon clearance assay by injecting carbon black ink into the right-wing vein. The visceral organs having gross lesions were also collected for histopathology.
Results
The COE significantly improved the growth performance, and lowered the morbidity and mortality rates of broilers. There was a significant rise in antibody titers against NDV and levels of IgY and IgM antibodies against SRBC in COE-supplemented broilers. The lymphoproliferative response and phagocytic activity were also enhanced. Among COE-supplemented groups, the broilers of the COE-3 group showed a significant increase in growth performance and boosted immune defense.
Conclusions
Coconut oil extract has the potential to boost the growth performance and immune status of broilers. It can be used effectively as a feed additive and alternative to antibiotics to prevent the spread of infectious poultry pathogens.
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| Keywords:
Antibody Titer; Growth Performance; IgY; IgM; Lymphoproliferative Response; Phagocytic Activity |
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