January 11, 2008

Danish researchers find improved hen immune system after heat exposure

The immune system and body weight of laying hens can be improved by a slight excess of heat exposure in the growing period, referred as mild heat stress by scientists from Denmark.

Researchers from the University of Aarhus, the second largest university in Denmark, discovered that mild heat stress can boost the health of laying eggs, a factor that is hugely beneficial to producers and consumers as it can create healthier hens, thus ensuring food safety.

Birthe Damgaard, scientist from the Department of Animal Health, Welfare and Nutrition at the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences (DJF), said that while growing, chickens develop their natural immune system. By stimulating this immune system, improved health among laying hens can be attained, Damgaard noted.

Additional exposure to heat could stimulate the natural immunological mechanisms of hens which also lead to better health and food safety.

The findings indicate that heat-stressed hens actually had fewer antibodies in their blood compared to non-heat-stressed hens. Yet, they had more killer cells that circulate in the body to detect foreign materials and fight virus.