Cellular and humoral immunity of broilers subjected to posthatch fasting and a prestarter diet containing conjugated linoleic acid

• Published in: Poultry science Vol. 102; no. 12; p. 103167
• Main Authors: Martins, Poliana C., Santos, Januária S., Rezende, Pedro M., Royer, Ana F.B., Montel, L.M., Carvalho, Fabyola B., Andrade, M.M., Araújo, Itallo C.S., Stringhini, José H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Inc 01-12-2023; Elsevier
• Subjects: immunoglobulins; METABOLISM AND NUTRITION; newly hatched chicks; omega-6; polyunsaturated fatty acid; posthatch nutrition; omega-6; posthatch nutrition; newly hatched chicks; immunoglobulins; polyunsaturated fatty acid
• ISSN: 0032-5791; 1525-3171
• DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2023.103167

This study aimed to evaluate the immunity of chickens up to 35 d subjected to posthatch fasting and supplementation with conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). A total of 320 chicks were housed in a completely randomized design with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement (0 or 12 h of fasting × 0.000 or 0.025% CLA in a prestarter diet), totaling 4 treatments (No-F-12 h; F-12 h; No-CLA; CLA) with 8 replicates of 10 birds each. The relative weights (% body weight) of the spleen and bursa were determined 12 h posthatch (Post-12 h) and then weekly. Immunoglobulin Y (IgY) titers against Newcastle disease virus (NDV) were measured by ELISA in the yolk sac contents Post-12 h and in the serum weekly. Hypersensitivity to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) inoculation was evaluated by toe-web swelling response on d 13 and 34, 4 times a day (after 3 h, 6 h, 12 h, and 24 h inoculation, respectively, PHA-3 h, PHA-6 h, PHA-12 h, and PHA-24 h). The data were subjected to analysis of variance (P < 0.05). F-12h reduced the Post-12 h relative weight of the spleen, and CLA reduced the relative weight of the bursa at this stage and at 28 d. At 13 d, F-12 h reduced PHA-3 h, whereas PHA-12 h was increased by CLA. At 34 d, CLA reduced PHA-3 h. A greater reaction was observed in the No-F-12 h-CLA chicks, for the PHA-24 h. In the Post-12 h evaluation, F-12h reduced, whereas CLA increased NDV-specific IgY titers in the yolk sac. No-F-12 h-No-CLA chicks had the lowest serum titers. At 21 d, F-12 h-CLA chicks exhibited the highest serum titers. Titers were higher in the F-12 h-No-CLA chicks, when compared to other treatments. At 28 d, fasting reduced the titers. In conclusion, F-12 h and CLA accelerated the transfer of immunoglobulins from the yolk sac to the serum. F-12 h impairs cellular immunity, whereas CLA favors it.