Assessment of immuno-modulatory effect of neem (Azadirachta indica) in Guinea fowl

This experiment was conducted to examine the effect of Neem (Azadirachta indica) leaf powder (NLP) on cellular and humoral immune responses in guinea fowl. One hundred and twenty keets were divided into four groups (T₀ T₁ T₂ and T₃) and supplemented with Neem leaf powder @ 0, 1, 2 and 3 g in the basal diet. The mean skin thickness at 0, 48 and 72 hours post-challenge was recorded as 2.90, 3.20 and 3.05 mm in T₁ 2.88, 3.44 and 3.36 in T₂ and 2.88, 3.43 and 3.30 in T₃, respectively. These values for control group were 2.86, 2.94 and 2.86 mm on corresponding hours of observation. The serum immunoglobulin concentrations in T₀, T₁, T₂ and T₃ groups were 3.28, 3.31, 3.41 and 3.37 mg/dl, respectively. The results indicated that supplementing guinea fowl diets with 3 g Neem leaf powder/kg could induce favourable influence on immune response.