Effect of feeding decorticated cottonseed meal with or without protease on blood biochemicals and immune status of broiler chicken

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of decorticated cottonseed meal (DCSM, with non-detectable freegossypol content) in the diet of broiler chickens with or without inclusion of protease on blood biochemical parameters and immune response. A feeding trial of six weeks (0 to 6 wk of age of broiler chicken) duration was conducted involving five dietary inclusion levels (0, 5, 10, 15 and 20%) of DCSM with and without (two) protease in standard broiler chicken diet following 5 x 2 factorial designs. All the diets were iso-caloric and iso-nitrogenous. Each dietary treatment was offered to four replicated groups of 8 chicks in each. At the end of the experiment blood samples were collected from six birds in each treatment for determination of blood biochemical parameters. The blood samples were collected from eight birds per treatment at 35th day (5 days after Sheep RBC immunization) for HA titre estimation against SRBC for humoral immune response. For Cell mediated immune response, at 22nd day post hatch 0.1 ml of phytohaemaggutinin type P was injected and after 24 hour of injection, the foot web index (mm) was calculated. Serum total protein, haemoglobin, SGOT, SGPT and glucose concentrations were found to be unaffected either by DCSM or enzyme levels in diets. The interaction between DCSM and enzyme also did not influence serum total protein, haemoglobin, SGOT, SGPT and glucose concentrations. The levels of cholesterol and albumin increased (P<0.01), while globulin decreased with increased inclusion level of DCSM, however, enzyme supplementation did not show any effect on these parameters. Interaction between the level of DCSM and enzyme also did not affect significantly serum albumin, globulin and cholesterol concentration of the broiler chicken. The relative weight (% of live weight) of immune organs (spleen, bursa and thymus) and immunocompetence (humoral as well as cellular) of birds were not influenced statistically by various level of DCSM, enzyme supplementation or interaction. It was concluded that the decorticated cottonseed meal (DCSM), devoid of free-gossypol, can safely be incorporated up to 20% level in diet of broiler chicken replacing soybean meal without having any adverse effect on blood biochemical parameters and immune status of broiler chicken.