title: Effect of beta-mannanase (Hemicell) on growth performance and immunity of broilers.
abstract: Two hundred four broilers (1-d-old) were randomly allocated to 4 treatments, each of which had 3 pens of 17 chicks per pen and were used to investigate the effects of beta-mannanase (Hemicell) on growth performance and immunity. The chicks received the same basal diet based on corn-soybean meal and Hemicell was added to the basal diet at 0, 0.025, 0.05, and 0.075%, respectively. Weight of each replicate was determined at wk 0, 3, and 6 of age. There were no significant differences in average feed intake in the 0- to 3-wk and 0- to 6-wk periods, and no differences in serum IgA, or IgG concentrations. However, the addition of Hemicell significantly increased (P < 0.05) weight gain in the 4- to 6-wk and 0- to 6-wk periods. Feed conversion for the 0.025 and 0.05% groups was significantly greater (P < 0.05) than for the control group in the 4- to 6-wk and 0- to 6-wk periods. Hemicell significantly increased (P < 0.05) the serum IgM concentration in 3- and 6-wk-old broilers. Proliferation of T lymphocytes in 6-wk-old broilers for the 0.05% group was also improved (P < 0.05) significantly. The results indicate that Hemicell may improve growth performance and immunity of broilers.
authors.affiliation: Animal Science College, Zhejiang University, HangZhou, 310029, P. R. China. xtzhou@zju.edu.cn
authors.forename: X T
authors.initials: XT
authors.lastname: Zou
authors.forename: X J
authors.initials: XJ
authors.lastname: Qiao
authors.forename: Z R
authors.initials: ZR
authors.lastname: Xu
mesh_terms: D000821:Animal Feed; D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D000818:Animals; D002060:Bursa of Fabricius / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002645:Chickens / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000276:immunology*; D004032:Diet / Q000662:veterinary; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D009929:Organ Size; D013154:Spleen / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects; D044902:beta-Mannosidase / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D044902:beta-Mannosidase