Porcine lactoferrin as feedstuff additive elevates avian immunity and potentiates vaccination.
In this study, recombinant porcine lactoferrin (PLF) was used as feedstuff additive to investigate the effects of peripheral lymphocyte proliferation and serum antibody titers in chickens vaccinated against the infectious bursal disease (IBD) virus. Treatment groups were fed three doses of PLF powder in their diet (0.5, 1.0, and 2.0% w/w), and the IBD vaccine was administrated at 1 and 3 weeks of age. At 8, 12, and 16 weeks after vaccination, serum IBD antibody titers were measured via the micro-method and T cell proliferation rates were evaluated. The results revealed that a high dose of PLF led to significant increases in serum IgA, IgG and IBD-specific antibody titers (P < 0.05). PLF administration, at either low or high doses, enhanced the expression of IFN-gamma and IL-12 in chicken T lymphocytes. These results suggest that PLF enhances cell-mediated immunity and augment the ability of IBD vaccination to strengthen subsequent anti-viral responses.
Department of Life Sciences, National Chung Hsing University, No. 250, Kuo Kuang Road, 402 Taichung, Taiwan.
Che-Ming
CM
Hung
Shinn-Chih
SC
Wu
Chih-Ching
CC
Yen
Ming-Fong
MF
Lin
Yi-Wen
YW
Lai
Yu-Tang
YT
Tung
Hsiao-Ling
HL
Chen
Chuan-Mu
CM
Chen
D000821:Animal Feed; D000818:Animals; D018175:Birnaviridae Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002645:Chickens / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D005503:Food Additives / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007110:Immunity, Active / Q000276:immunology; D007243:Infectious bursal disease virus / Q000276:immunology*; D007781:Lactoferrin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology*; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000276:immunology; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology; D013552:Swine; D014611:Vaccination; D014765:Viral Vaccines / Q000276:immunology*
D005503:Food Additives; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D014765:Viral Vaccines; D007781:Lactoferrin