Effects of Supplemental Selective CMHs on Production and Immunity of Laying Hens in Normal and High Temperature Environment

The influence of selective Chinese medical herbs (CMHs) on production and immunity of laying hens in normal and high temperature environment were investigated in the present study. The experiment was concluded two periods. In period one, one hundred and forty-four 51-weeks old laying hens were used. Experiment birds were divided into 6 groups. Group 1, 2, 3 were fed a basal diet supplemented with 1% Ligustrum Lucidum (LL), Schisandra Chinensis (SC) or Si Jun Zi Tang (SJZT), respectively. Group 4 were fed the basal diet supplemented with 10 mg/kg daidzein (DA). Group 5 were fed the basal diet supplemented with 5mg/kg flavomycin. Group 6 were fed the basal diet. The experiment lasted 6 weeks. The environment temperature was 18~26℃. In period two, ninety-six 58-weeks old laying hens were used. Experiment birds were exposed in high temperature environment (32℃), treatments of experiment birds in experiment two were same with experiment one.The results showed that little influences were observed on production, serum corticosterone (Cor) and estradiol (E_2) content by supplemental LL, SC, SJZT and DA (P0.05). But there were significantly increasing of serum antibody formation and T lymphocyte proliferation by supplemental LL, SC, SJZT and DA (P0.05) in normal environment temperature. Supplemental LL, SC, SJZT and DA significantly increased production, serum antibody levels and T lymphocyte proliferation (P0.05), and significantly decreased serum Cor content (P0.05) in high environmental temperature.