Vet World   Vol.10   December-2017  Article-6

Research Article

Veterinary World, 10(12): 1447-1455

https://doi.org/10.14202/vetworld.2017.1447-1455

Prophylactic and immune modulatory influences of Nigella sativa Linn. in broilers exposed to biological challenge

Essam S. Soliman1, Rania T. Hamad2, and Amira Ahmed3
1. Department of Animal Hygiene, Zoonosis and Animal Behavior, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, Egypt.
2. Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, Egypt.
3. Department of Poultry and Rabbit Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, Egypt.

Background and Aim: Prophylaxis and disease prevention is an essential strategy among biorisk management in poultry farms that stimulate and maintain the birds' immunity. The aim of this study was to investigate the prophylactic, and immune-stimulant influence of Nigella sativa Linn. in broilers under biological stress.

Materials and Methods: A total of 250 1-day-old (ross) chicks were divided into 5 groups; four of which were supplemented with 1.4%, 2.8%, 4.2%, and 5.6% N. sativa Linn., respectively. The four supplemented groups were challenged with Escherichia coli O157:H7 1.5x108 at a 14th day old. A total of 1050 samples (150 serum, 150 swab, and 750 organ samples) were collected and examined.

Results: A highly significant increase (p<0.01) in 5.6% N. sativa Linn. supplemented group in performance traits (body weight, weight gain, and performance index), biochemical parameters (proteinogram, liver enzymes, and creatinine), immunoglobulins concentration, and immune organs' weight. Meanwile, liver showed improvement of histoarchitecture without fibrosis. Heart showed a mild pericarditis with a mild degree of hydropic degeneration. Bursa, thymus, and spleen showed lymphoid hyperplasia.

Conclusion: A concentration of 5.6% N. sativa Linn. in broiler's feed can improve the immune response and subsequent resistance of broilers against diseases. Keywords: Broiler, Escherichia coli, histopathology, Nigella sativa Linn., preventive.

Keywords: Broiler, Escherichia coli, histopathology, Nigella sativa Linn., preventive.

How to cite this article: Soliman ES, Hamad RT, Ahmed A (2017) Prophylactic and immune modulatory influences of Nigella sativa Linn. in broilers exposed to biological challenge, Veterinary World, 10(12): 1447-1455.

Received: 01-08-2017  Accepted: 14-11-2017     Published online: 12-12-2017

Corresponding author: Essam S. Soliman   E-mail: soliman.essam@vet.suez.edu.eg

DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2017.1447-1455

Copyright: Soliman, et al. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made. The Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication waiver (http:// creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/) applies to the data made available in this article, unless otherwise stated.