IMMUNOPOTENTIATION PROPERTIES OF PROPIOBACTERIUM GRANULOSUM VERSUS VITAMIN E IN CYLOPHOSHAMIDE IMMUNOSUPPRESSED CHICKENS.

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University.

Abstract

The immunosupressing effect of cyclophosphamide (CP) on cell mediated and humoral immunity has been proven with severe dramatic effect on serum transferrin (Tf) and immunoglobulins (IgG and IgM). Marked alterations in the morphologic features of major lymphoid organs and their weight/ body weight indices were evident. The Immunoassay revealed that Propiobacterium granulosum immunopotentiated the production of anti-sheep red blood cells (SRBCs) haemagglutinating (HA) antibodies 7 days post immunization till the end of the experiment (42 days) with a geometric mean ranging between 1.8-5.1. While vitamin E humbly sustained the HA titer at 14 and 21 days post immunization with a geometric mean of only 0.5 for each. Administration of Propiobacterium granulosum and vitamin E highly improved the level of serum Tf, IgG and IgM during the entire period of the experiment. They also significantly increased stimulation indices of lymphocyte transformation 7-14 days post immunization with SRBCs. Bursal / body weight index was significantly increased at 14 and 21 days post treatment with Propiobacterium granulosum and at 21 days post treatment with vitamin E over CP immunosuppressed non-treated control chickens. Histomorphologic features of bursa of Fabricus, thymus gland and spleen were markedly improved with Propiobacterium granulosum and vitamin E by post treatment day 7 and onwards. Protection percentage against E.coli challenge in the bioassay study reached 84.4 % or 68.9 % in CP immunosuppressed chicken groups immuno- potentiated with Propiobacterium granulosum or vitamin E respectively as compared with 48.9 % in immunosuppressed non-immunopotentiated group.

Main Subjects