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The Effect of Levamisole on Growth Performance, Humoral Immunity and Blood Biochemical Profile in Broiler Chickens

Azman Khan Shovon
Department of Physiology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh

Md. Nazim Uddin
Department of Physiology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh

Abu Foysal Md. Hridoy
Department of Physiology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh

Md. Kamrul Islam
Department of Physiology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh

Mohammad Alam Miah
Department of Physiology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Levamisole is an anthelmintic drug commonly used for the treatment of parasitic diseases. It triggers immunity in livestock. The research was conducted to evaluate the levamisole (LMS) effect’s on growth performances, humoral immunity and selected hemato-biochemical parameters in broilers chickens. A total of 40, thirteen days old “Lohman” broiler chicks were reared up to 33 days with routinely vaccinated. The chicks were randomly divided into four equal groups: A, B, C and D (n=10). Group A was considered as control (neither vaccinated, not treated). The other three groups were vaccinated with Newcastle disease and infectious bursal disease live vaccine on 15 days of age. Group B was only vaccinated. Group C and D were provided with levamisole hydrochloride (Hcl) at a dose rate of 3 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg body weight, respectively through drinking water from the 16th day at twenty-four hours interval for five successive days. Results showed that LMS treated broilers had significantly (p<0.01) higher antibody titer compared to the non-treated group. Bodyweight and body weight gain was significantly (p<0.05) higher in LMS treated (low and high doses) groups. Broilers treated with LMS had significantly (p<0.05) improved FCR. Hematological parameters (TEC, Hb and PCV) didn’t differ statistically among the groups. Creatinine values were in the normal range among the treated groups. Broilers treated with high doses (10 mg/kg) of LMS showed increased level of serum alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) levels. Serum total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides were also significantly increased in the levamisole treated group (10 mg/kg) whereas HDL cholesterol was not significantly different (p<0.05). Overall, this work explores the use of levamisole @ 3 mg/kg body weight in stimulating an immune response, promoting growth performance but higher doses of LMS may be detrimental to poultry health.

Keywords: Levamisole, Growth performance, Humoral immunity, Broilers

Location: The Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Science of Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh

Start Date: 12-03-2019

End Date: 10-04-2019

Program Area: Animal Health and Management

Commodity: Broiler

Objectives:

To assess the effect of LMS on humoral immunity, body growth and blood biochemical profile (lipid profile, creatinine, AST and ALT) in broilers treated with LMS.

Methodology:

Experimental birds: The research was conducted at the experimental shed of the Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Science of Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh during the period from 12 March to 10 April 2019. A total of forty (40) apparently healthy “LOHMAN” broiler chicks of thirteen days old were purchased from Rashid Hatchery Ltd, Mymensingh. Experimental design: The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design. On the 14th day of age, chicks were randomly divided into four groups (group A, B, C and D). Each group contained 10 birds. The birds of groups A, B, C and D were kept in separate cages. Group A was kept as control, i.e. neither vaccinated nor treated; it was served as a control group. Group B, C and D were administered with Newcastle disease vaccine at a recommended dose as one drop on the right eye of each bird. Group B was only vaccinated and not treated with levamisole. Group C and Group D were vaccinated and treated with levamisole in a dose of 3 mg /kg and 10 mg /kg body weight, respectively orally with drinking water at 24 hours intervals between doses for five successive days. On the 16th day of age, treatment was started and ended at the age of 21 days. Birds received their freshly prepared daily medication in the morning hour of each day. The concentration of levamisole in the water to give the required dose per kilogram of body weight was calculated by determining the water consumption and body weight of each bird on the day of medication. Levamisole: Avinex® vet powder was purchased as a source of levamisole from Renata Animal Health Ltd. Each gram powder contains 300 mg levamisole Hcl. Management of experimental birds: Managements and rearing of birds was strictly followed according to the standard broiler farming system. Birds were vaccinated against ND, IBD and IB as per manufacturers’ instructions. Strict biosecurity measures were taken during the experimental periods. Birds were supplied with a grower diet for ten days (13-23 days) and finisher feeds for the last ten days (23-33 days). Feed and drinking water were supplied ad libitum. Measurements of body weight: The body weight of each bird was measured weekly at 14th, 21st, 28th and 33rd days of age using digital balance and total body weight gain were calculated as follows: bodyweight gain= final body weight – initial body weight. FCR was determined by the formula: total feed consumed by birds divided total body weight gain. Feed consumption is the amount of feed consumed by the birds in a period of time. Feed intake was calculated as the difference between the amount of feed supplied to the birds and the amount of feed that remained at the end of each feeding period (Yi et al., 2018; Khalil et al., 2020). Blood collection: Blood samples were collected from each bird at slaughter after the completion of the experiment. About ten to 12 mL of blood was collected from each bird. Five to 6 mL of the blood was kept in a sterile test tube containing an anticoagulant (3.8% trisodium citrate solution) at a ratio of 1:10 and the remaining of the blood was taken in a another sterile test tube without any anticoagulant for separation of serum. Preparation of serum: Test tubes containing blood without anticoagulant were kept in a slanting position at room temperature. These samples were refrigerated overnight at 4°C. The separation of serum from the clotted blood was achieved following centrifugation at 1000 rpm for 15 min as described by Salahuddin et al. (2012). These cell-free serum samples were preserved at –20°C for further biochemical analysis. Statistical analysis: Data were stored in Microsoft Excel-2013 and imported to the software Graph Pad Prism 8 for analysis. Results are expressed as the mean +SEM. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used for data analysis (Steel and Torrie, 1980). Significant differences between the groups were detected in the ANOVA using Tukey’s multiple comparison test. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Source of Information: J Bangladesh Agril Univ 18(S1): 858–863, 2020

Article Link (Online Journal): https://doi.org/10.5455/JBAU.13301 ISSN 1810-3030 (Print) 2408-8684 (Online)

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The research study investigated the levamisole supplementation on growth performance, hemato-biochemical profile and humoral immunity in broilers and concluded that levamisole may have a beneficial effect on performance and immunity in broilers and it can be used routinely to enhance immune response and boost productivity in broilers especially in the face of constant challenges to the immune system as those present in tropical environments. However, a more precise investigation is necessary using a large number of birds to draw a final conclusion.

Knowledge Management: Journal