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

Abstract

Plant-derived polysaccharides have been reported for diverse biological response modification (BRM) and immunotherapeutic(IT) activities in animals by activating their defense systems to perform better immunogenically against invading pathogens. Keepingthis in view, this study was conducted to assess the BRM and IT activities of barley ( Hordeum vulgareL.)-derived arabinoxylans (AXs)against coccidiosis in broilers. Significantly enhanced (P < 0.05) in vivo and in vitro lymphoproliferative responses to T-cell mitogenswere revealed in broilers administered barley AXs when compared to the control group. Humoral immune response in terms of antibodytiters against sheep erythrocytes was also found higher (P < 0.05) in AX-administered chickens. Furthermore, AX-administeredchickens also showed higher weekly weight gains and improved feed conversion ratios as compared to controls. Results of the challengeexperiment showed that the percentage of protection and daily weight gains were statistically higher (P < 0.05) whereas mean oocystsper gram of droppings and lesion scores were significantly lower (P < 0.05) in the chickens administered barley AXs as compared tocontrols. In conclusion, barley-derived AXs led to better growth performance and elicited humoral and cellular immune responses incommercial broilers that persisted against coccidial infection in broiler chickens.