Effect of supplementation of ashwagandha and vitamin E on haematological and immunological parameters of vencobb-400 broilers

Indian poultry industry is fast growing and poultry meat is not subjected to cultural and religious restrictions. Utilization of medicinal plants as feed ingredient for broilers is increasing due to its growth promoting quality and capacity to reduce antimicrobial resistance among broilers. Vitamin E enhances the immune competence of chickens and restores impaired immunity. The present experimental study was undertaken to study the effects of vitamin E and Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) on haematological and immunological parameters of VenCobb-400 broilers. Ashwagandha and Vitamin E were supplemented in broiler chicken feed at different levels for different group. The haematological parameters viz. haemoglobin concentration, packed cell volume, total erythrocyte count, total leucocyte count and differential leucocyte count were assessed as per standard procedures. The cell mediated immune response was estimated by skin hypersensitivity test using 1% 2, 4-dinitrochlorobenzene reagent in acetone and it was evaluated after 24, 48 and 72 hours post inoculation. The data obtained in the present study were analyzed statistically. The broiler groups treated with both Ashwagandha and Vitamin E simultaneously, showed significantly higher values of haematological parameters when compared to that of other groups. The cell mediated immunity of birds analysed by cutaneous basophil hypersensitivity reaction was found at higher levels in Ashwagandha and Vitamin E treated groups. Supplementation of 2.5 g Ashwagandha and 1 g Vitamin E per Kg of feed was found to be optimum combination for better haematological and immunological attributes for broilers. This may be due to the synergistic effect of Ashwagandha and Vitamin E on the haematology of broilers.