The effect of Bacillus natto on the T and B lymphocytes from spleens of feeding chickens.
The effect of Bacillus natto on T and B lymphocytes in the chicken spleen was investigated. Bacillus natto is isolated from fermented food and is used in Japan in a preparation that enhances growth of farm animals. When chickens were fed 10(7) colony-forming units of B. natto (in spores) per gram of feed from hatching to 27 days of age there was an increase in the percentage of T and B lymphocytes in the spleens compared with non-B. natto-fed controls. The findings suggested that dietary Bacillus natto had an effect on cellular immune responses.
D000821:Animal Feed; D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000382:microbiology*; D001407:Bacillus; D002645:Chickens / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000382:microbiology*