Possibilities for improvement of humoral innate immunity in turkeys and hens in conditions of thermal stress by the immunomodulator Immunobeta
The experiments for evaluation of the effect of Immunobeta were performed with turkeys and organically reared layer hens. Turkeys received Immunobeta at a dose of 4 g/kg feed during the beginning of lay (cold period), thermoneutral period and hot summer period. In hens, two dietary levels of Immunobeta were tested: 2 g/kg and 4 g/kg. Blood serum and egg lysozyme levels, alternative pathway of complement activation (APCA) and beta-lysins concentrations were determined. It was found out that Immunobeta had a beneficial effect on serum lysozyme, APCA activity and beta-lysins in turkeys and hens. The lysozyme concentration in egg white was statistically significantly higher in eggs produced by birds treated with both doses of the immunomodulator.