US scientists to find supplements to boost poultry immune system

A scientist from the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) under the USDA aims to find dietary supplements that strengthen the poultry immune system against the parasite Eimeria maxima that usually develops avian coccidiosis.

ARS immunologist Hyun Lillehoj is cooperating with scientists at South Korea's Gyeongsang National University College of Veterinary Medicine for the research.

The researchers found that chickens that consumed ground green tea for two weeks prior to parasitic infection produced significantly fewer fecal E. maxima oocysts than the control group, a result that could help reduce the spread of infection in poultry houses.

Chickens eating diets supplemented with Pediococcus-based probiotics reduced their oocyte production, increased the production of cytokines essential for a strong immune response, and experienced improved weight gain.

Poultry immunities received a similar boost from a combination of Pediococcus and a yeast-based commercial probiotic product. Chickens that consumed a probiotic combination of lactic acid bacterium and yeasts also showed a significantly antibody response to parasites.

The researchers also tested to see if other phytonutrients could be beneficial, and found that plum powder supplements stimulated spleen immune cell production and killed tumour cells. Infected poultry fed with the supplement also gained weight and reduced parasite shedding.

Supplements of safflower were also found to be similarly beneficially.