Influence of probiotic supplementation on immune response of broiler chicks.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of a commercial probiotic supplementation (Bactocell ® containing live bacteria Pediococcus acidilactici) on immunity of broiler chickens. A total of 800 Ross one day-old broiler chicks were grown over 42 days. Chicks were wing-banded, individually weighed and randomly allocated into four equally major groups each of two replicates. Chicks of group 1 (control group) were fed the starter and finisher diets that were not supplemented with probiotic. The chicks of groups 2, 3, and 4 were fed control starter and finisher diets plus 1.6 g, 1 g and 0.8 g of probiotic per kg of feed, respectively for 42 days. The probiotic treatment groups showed significantly higher antibody levels against Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV) compared to the control group. A significant increase was recorded in the relative weight of bursa of Fabricius in all probiotic supplemented groups compared to the control one. There was a significant increase in the relative weight of spleen at 42 days of age in all probiotic treatment groups as compared to the control group. Probiotic supplementation significantly (p<0.05) increased the relative weight of thymus in all probiotic treatment groups at 28 and 42 days of age as compared to the control group. This indicates an enhancement effect of probiotic (Pediococcus acidilactici) on the immune system of broilers was detected.