Evaluation of Immunomodulatory Activities of Clove Powder in Broiler

Abstract

The study was planned to evaluate the immunomodulatory effects of clove bud powder in broiler. Total of 60 chicks were divided randomly to 5 groups. Group I served as control and given only basal diet. Group II served as standard control and given basal diet with vitamin E and selenium containing proprietary product in water. Groups III, IV and V were given clove powder at the dose rate of 2.5, 5 and 10 g/kg feed for 35 days, respectively. Cutaneous basophil hypersensitivity (CBH) response was carried out to assess the cell mediated immunity on 14th day of age. Blood was collected on 7th, 21st and 35th day of age and serum was separated to estimate antibody titre against Newcastle Disease Virus vaccine by haemagglutination inhibition (HI) test and biochemical parameters like serum total protein, serum albumin, serum globulin and albumin to globulin ratio (A/G). On 35th day, thin blood smears were prepared to determine differential leucocyte counts microscopically. At the end of the experiment, birds were sacrificed for histopathological examinations. Chicks supplemented with clove powder at 2.5, 5 and 10 g/kg feed and vitamin E & selenium showed significantly higher CBH response. Birds supplemented with clove powder at 5 and 10 g/kg feed and vitamin E & selenium showed significantly increased antibody titre as compared to control birds. The result indicates clove powder has beneficial effect in terms of augmenting the cell mediated as well as humoral immune response in broiler. Clove powder supplementation significantly increased the serum total protein, serum globulin and significantly decreased albumin to globulin ratio. Birds supplemented with clove powder (2.5, 5 and 10 g/kg) in feed showed significantly decreased heterophil to lymphocyte ratio suggesting its beneficial effect on cell mediated immune response. Histopathological evaluation of bursa of Fabricius, spleen and thymus showed no histopathological alteration in birds supplemented with clove powder. Result of the present study revealed that supplementation of clove powder at given doses in feed was possesses immunostimulant effects in broiler.