Effect of Age on the Immune and Visceral Organ Weights and Cecal Traits in Modern Broilers

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the effect of age on the immune and visceral organ weights and cecal traits in modern broilers. 200 male Ross® 308 broilers were randomly selected, then 20 broilers were slaughtered every day (up to 10 days old) after six hours of fasting. All the organs measured had a progressive increase in absolute weight as the days progressed, apart from the spleen, which decreased its absolute weight on day 5, even though on day 10 it showed the highest values. Moreover, the small intestine relative weight increased from the fourth to the ninth day and was correlated (p ≤ 0.05) with the relative weight of the proventriculus, gizzard, small intestine, and cecum, although without statistical association with the of the heart. There was a correlation between the cecum relative weight and the cecal lactic acid bacteria, and between the primary lymphoid organs. The pH (from 5.74 to 7.40) and cecal lactic acid bacteria (from 6.11 to 8.79 log 10 CFU/g) changed according to the age of the broilers. The results could contribute to the understanding of the physiology and intestinal microbiology of the first 10 days old of modern broilers, which is crucial to improve the genetic expression of these animals.

Efficacy of clove and tulsi supplementation in drinking water in broiler immunity

“…Studies on the mechanism of immune function regulation in poultry have both theoretical and production values. Therefore, the investigation of allometric indices of the lymphoid organs in broilers might be an effective method to evaluate their immune status (Igwe et al., 2020; Martínez et al., 2021; Perozo et al., 2004). Therefore, in the current study, we investigated the role of Cv and Ts in boosting broiler immunity from the morphologic and morphometric points of view of the lymphoid organs.…”

“…Birds having higher weight indices of lymphoid organs usually have higher antibody titres and respond more effectively to challenges by infectious agents or vaccines (Igwe et al., 2020). The implication of having higher lymphoid organ indices is that the birds with higher indices will be able to produce more cellular and humoral antibodies and thus will boost their immunity (Igwe et al., 2020; Martínez et al., 2021). In this context, our findings suggest that Cv and Ts have positive effects on weight gain of broiler lymphoid organs, especially on the bursa of Fabricius as well as boosting immunity.…”

“…The spleen is a secondary lymphoid organ that has hematopoietic and lymphopoietic functions and regulates both the humoral and cellular immune responses through the production, differentiation as well as storage of lymphocytes (Martínez et al., 2021). The importance of the spleen for the avian immune system is higher compared to mammals due to having poorly developed lymph vessels in birds (Kaiser & Balic, 2015).…”

The evaluation of the use of jack bean (Canavalia ensiformis) and protease enzyme on the broiler diet with the different level of protein

“…Bursa Fabricius and thymus were primary lymphoid organs in poultry that regulated the production and development of lymphoid cells . Primary lymphoid organs acted as sites for the growth and development of immune cells [28] The thymus and bursa Fabricius organs were related to the production and function of T cells and B cells, which were cells that played a role in the livestock immune system. Bursa Fabricius is a primary lymphoid organ in charge of regulating the production and differentiation of B lymphocytes.…”

Probiotics: Symbiotic Relationship with the Animal Host

“…The GIT of poultry has specific characteristics, such as crop, proventriculus, gizzards, two cecum and cloaca (reproductive, excretory and productive functions). Moreover, the gastrointestinal transit is shorter than that of mammals and is highly colonized by microorganisms that interact directly with the host [148,149]. Fermentation takes place in the ceca of poultry [150] because a complex microbiome is housed in this part of the GIT, which is densely populated with beneficial bacteria [151].…”