Role of Immuno-Modulators in Promoting Chicken Health

1. Role of Immuno-Modulators in Promoting Chicken Health In large scale intensive poultry production, only fast growing and high yielding hybrid birds are reared; which are generally more prone for infections, due to lesser disease resistance power and break down of immunity. Well developed immunity is very much important to increase the general disease resistance power of the birds and thereby improve its productivity. Therefore in commercial poultry production, the farmer must pay maximum attention, to develop immunity in the flock. Hence the farmer has to take into consideration several measures, not only to prevent break down of immunity, but also to boost the immunity building process. Vaccination alone is not sufficient to boost immunity. Moreover, they are specific for a particular disease and vaccines are not available for many diseases. Vaccination failures and break down of immunity are more common, due to improper vaccination, poor nutrition, mycotoxins, stress of various kinds, overcrowding, insufficient ventilation, poor flock management, improper housing, poor quality drinking water and many more reasons. There are several immunosuppressive diseases; which will not only cause that particular disease; but also results in general breakdown of immunity. Overall general immunity will not only prevent disease outbreaks, but also results in higher rate of production. Nutritionally balanced, toxin-free feed along with use of immunomodulators in poultry feed will boost the immunity in the poultry. Need of Immunomodulators in poultry feed under stress conditions In poultry, homeostasis results in physiological changes of an individual causing stress reduces the overall performance. Various kinds of stress among which, heat stress is more common and badly affects bird performance if proper nutritional and managemental care is not taken into consideration. The heat stressed birds may fall short to perform with respect to the body weight, feed efficiency, laying performance and mortality. However, the heat stress susceptibility of a breed depends upon various factors such as strain, feathering pattern, nutritional plane and production system. Further, it can be considered as a factor responsible for immune suppression in birds, resulting in infectious diseases and reduced performance in the flock. This causes potential economic losses and the farmer need to face the debts in the business. So, to counteract this heat stress induced immune suppression, one should follow certain strategies including supplementation of some nutrients like vitamins, minerals, electrolytes and some additives like probiotics, prebiotics, essential oils, polyherbal preparations, aspirin, betaine, systemic enzymes and acetic acid. These substances bring about the change in the internal environment of gastrointestinal tract and enhances the immunity. Commonly used Immunomodulators in Poultry Direct-Fed Microbials (DFMs)/Probiotics have been used as prophylactic agents against enteric pathogens, presumably by balancing microbiota, by modulating host immunity, or both. The dietary Bacillus subtilis, when used in a broiler as a potential growth promoter, can provide beneficial effects on broiler performance and modulate host humoral and cellular immune responses to enteric pathogens.

2. Butyrate have been appreciated for its beneficial effects on the host, including anti- inflammatory effects on epithelial cells. A scientific study indicated that dietary butyrate supplementation can improve the growth performance in chickens under stress, and that this could be used to moderate the immune response and reduce tissue damage. Essential oils exert their mode of action mainly with bactericidal effect, enhances the activity of endogenous digestive enzymes and modulation of the immune system. Prebiotics are non-digestible feed ingredients that are metabolized by specific (beneficial) members of intestinal microbiota and provide health benefits for the host. Prebiotics are capable of modulating gut microbiota and the immune interactions in favour of chicken health. Vitamin A is a fat soluble vitamin having significant role in immune function and reproduction process. In layer, it reduces heat stress and increases egg production while in broiler it helps in improving overall growth and performance. It is very effective if given in combination with zinc to minimize heat stress. Vitamin C is a water soluble vitamin and can be synthesized in poultry and not required as a supplement under normal condition. However, in heat stressed chicken, it is proven to be beneficial by reducing corticosterone production with simultaneous increase in insulin and thyroid levels. In case of broiler breeders, it increases egg weight, fertility and hatchability. In heat stressed broiler, Vit.C requirement is more, as it also acts as antioxidant. It improves carcass yield and quality, feed efficiency, carcass protein content and reduces crude fat. Vitamin E is a fat soluble vitamin and its dietary intake reduces heat stress and improves egg production. It increases plasma concentration of yolk lipids by production and release from liver. It protects the liver and body cells from oxidative injuries also. Vitamin E shall be supplemented before, during and after any stressful condition. Herbal plants feed additives and their derivatives like secondary metabolites are being used traditionally for their therapeutic and immunomodulatory functions. These herbal principles or metabolites include saponins, glyacoproteins, polysaccharides, and flavonoids etc. These metabolites have a wide variety of medicinal actions like lymphocyte stimulation. Systemic enzymes (Immunotech) Immunotech is a unique systemicenzymebasedimmunomodulator which comprises a synergistic combination of Serratiopeptidase, Nattokinase, Bromelain, Papain, & Bioflavonoids (Rutin).Immunotech have its application through feed (Immunotech Powder) as well as through drinking water (Immunotech Liquid) and its cost effectiveness makes it as a versatile solution for poultry farmers. In low risk condition (continuous application), it is recommended as a preventive measure to stimulate the immunomodulation process and the overall immune function. In high risk condition (intermittent application), it is flexible and recommended to identify stress periods with precision. Immunotech is a versatile solution

3. having anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative and fibrinolytic properties that helps in improved immunomodulation and better performance. Product Specification Recommended Inclusion Levels : Immunotech (Feed) For Broiler : Pre-starter & starter : 500 g/ton of feed Finisher : 250 g/ton of feed For Layer/Breeder : 250 g/ton of feed Immunotech (Liquid) Continuous Application : 250 ml/1000 birds in drinking water twice a day for first two days of application, followed by 100 ml/1000 birds twice in a day third day onwards. . Intermittent Application : 250 ml/1000 birds in drinking water twice a day. Presentation : Immunotech powder : 1 kg Immunotech Liquid : 1, 5 lit