THE IMMUNOMODULATORY AND HISTOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF Nigella sativa SEEDS ON BROILER CHICKENS

Hassan, Mohamed I.; Hassan, Saber Shihata

doi:10.21608/jaesj.2024.210673.1092

THE IMMUNOMODULATORY AND HISTOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF Nigella sativa SEEDS ON BROILER CHICKENS

Document Type : Full research articles

Authors

¹ Livestock Research Department, Arid Lands Cultivation Research Institute, City of Scientific Research and Technological Applications (SRTA- City), New Borg El-Arab, Alexandria, Egypt.

² Animal and Poultry Production Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Damanhour University, Egypt

10.21608/jaesj.2024.210673.1092

Abstract

This study investigates the effects of dietary supplementation with Nigella sativa seeds (NSS) on immune parameters and the histological microscopic structure of lymphoid organs in Arbor Acres broiler chicks. A total of 140 unsexed one-day-old chicks were randomly assigned to four groups with seven replicates each. The control group received a basal diet without supplements, while the other groups were fed the basal diet supplemented with NSS at concentrations of 0.5%, 1.0%, and 1.5%. The group supplemented with 0.5% NSS showed significantly higher white blood cell counts compared to other groups. The heterophil/ lymphocyte ratio was significantly elevated in the 0.5% NSS group. Plasma α-globulin concentration increased significantly in the 1.0% NSS group compared to the 0.5% group. Phagocytic activity was enhanced in all NSS-supplemented groups compared to the control. Bactericidal activity improved notably in the control, 1.0%, and 1.5% NSS groups. The lymphocyte transformation test concentration was significantly higher in the 1.0% NSS group. Haemagglutination inhibition against Newcastle disease virus was highest in the 1.0% NSS group. The weight of the bursa of Fabricius was significantly greater in the 1.0% and 1.5% NSS groups. Histologically, chicks fed with 0.5%, 1.0%, and 1.5% NSS had significantly longer villi, and the 0.5% NSS group exhibited larger bursal follicular areas. In conclusion, incorporating 1.0% NSS into broiler diets positively influenced immune responses, lymphoid organs, hematological parameters, and improved organ health histologically.

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