Effect of E-Se^TN feeding on humoral immune response and on some economic traits in broiler chicks

Among managemental factors, nutrition plays a very important role and dietary characteristics can modulate birds susceptibility to various pathogens. In this experiment of 42 days duration, the effect of E-Se^TN (Golden streak) on the humoral immune response and on economic traits such as body weight gain, feed consumption and feed conversion ratio in comparison to Lemasol-P was studied in broiler chicks. Chicks were vaccinated with Lasota strain of RDV, intranasally on 7th and 28th day and with IBD vaccine on 14th day age. In one group vitamin E-Se containing preparation (E-Se) was administered @0.5 gm/20 chicks in drinking water upto 3 weeks of age starting from 7th day of age. From 22^nd day and onward the preparation was given @2 gm/20 chicks. In another group Levasmisole hydrochloride preparation was administered @25 mg/kg body weight/day in drinking water. Third group was kept control. Among the experimental groups levasmisole preparation fed group recorded significantly (P<0.05) higher mean haemagglutination inhibition (MHI) antibody titre than rest of the two groups. E-Se fed group also recorded significantly (P<0.05) higher MHI antibody titre than control group for most of the post vaccination periods. At 42nd day of age E-Se treated group recorded significantly (P<0.05) higher body weight gain (1826 gm) than both Lemasole-P (1805 gm) and control groups (1975 gm). Furthermore, E-Se fed group also recorded lower feed consumption and better feed conversion ratio (2.22:1) than both Lemasole-P (2.27:1) and control groups (2.29:1). Thus, these findings are in accordance with the much acclaimed beneficial effects of vitamin E-Se containing preparations.