ISSN: 2474-9222
Authors: Orakpoghenor O*
The administration of supplements during viral infections in poultry is gaining more attention. This study evaluated the effects of supplements (prebiotic, probiotic and synbiotic) administration on haematological parameters of ISA Brown chicks inoculated with a very virulent infectious bursal disease (vvIBDV). Two hundred and fifty one-day-old chicks were assigned into five groups (A, B, C, D and E) of 50 chicks each. Groups A, B and C were administered molasses, Antox® and EN-FLORAX®, respectively daily via drinking water from 1 to 49 days of age (doa) while D and E were not administered any supplement. Groups A, B, C and D were inoculated with a vvIBDV at 28 doa while E was not inoculated. Blood was collected from all groups at 1, 28, 35, 42 and 49 doa, and processed for haematology using standard laboratory procedures. Results revealed significantly (P<0.05) higher packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin concentration, total red blood cells and thrombocyte count in groups A, B and C compared to group D at 35, 42 and 49 doa. Total white blood cells, heterophils and lymphocyte counts were significantly (P<0.05) higher in groups A, B and C than in group D at 35, 42 and 49 doa. The PCV between groups A, B, C and D differed significantly (P<0.05). The haematological changes induced by vvIBDV were mitigated by the supplements in this study. Therefore, molasses, Antox® and EN-FLORAX® could be administered to ameliorate haematological alterations due to vvIBDV infection in poultry.
Keywords: Supplements; Molasses; Antox®; EN-FLORAX®; Haematology; Infectious Bursal Disease
