title: Immunomodulatory and hepatoprotective role of feed-added Berberis lycium in broiler chicks.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A large number of plants and their isolates have been shown to potentiate immunity. Some plants exert anti-inflammatory and anti-stress effects, others hepatoprotective activity. In this study, 320 1-day-old broiler chicks were randomly divided into four major groups A, B, C and D and fed rations supplemented with 0, 15, 20 and 22.5 g Berberis lycium kg⁻¹ ration respectively. Each group was further divided into two subgroups, one vaccinated against Newcastle disease (ND) and infectious bursal disease (IBD), the other non-vaccinated. Antibody titre against IBD and ND, relative weight of lymphoid organs, post-challenge morbidity and mortality, serum hepatic enzymes and total serum protein were observed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Group C had higher anti-IBD and anti-ND antibody titres. Relative bursa weight in groups C and D was higher until day 28, but birds in group C performed better at later stages of examination. Relative spleen weight was highest in group C. During initial stages there was no effect on relative thymus weight, but at later stages the effect was significant. Groups C and D performed similarly in terms of relative thymus weight. The birds were challenged to field IBD through intramuscular injection at a dose rate of 0.5 mL per bird. Post-challenge morbidity was lowest in groups C and D, while treatment significantly (P < 0.001) affected mortality amongst affected (morbid) birds. Levels of serum alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase were lowest in group C. Serum protein was similar in all groups and in both vaccinated and non-vaccinated broiler chicks.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Berberis lycium added to feed at 20 g kg⁻¹ is effective in improving immunity against ND and IBD as well as liver function in broiler chicks.
authors.affiliation: Department of Poultry Science, Agricultural University Peshawar, Peshawar, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Naila
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Chand
authors.forename: Fazli Raziq
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Durrani
authors.forename: Sohail
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ahmad
authors.forename: Amanullah
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Khan
mesh_terms: D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D028142:Berberis; D018175:Birnaviridae Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000662:veterinary / Q000821:virology; D002060:Bursa of Fabricius / Q000187:drug effects; D002645:Chickens / Q000276:immunology*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007243:Infectious bursal disease virus / Q000276:immunology; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology; D009521:Newcastle Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D009522:Newcastle disease virus / Q000276:immunology; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011201:Poultry Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D011897:Random Allocation; D013154:Spleen / Q000187:drug effects; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000187:drug effects; D014765:Viral Vaccines
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D010936:Plant Extracts; D014765:Viral Vaccines; D000410:Alanine Transaminase; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase