Effects of dietary vitamin E on immunological stress of layers and their offspring

Abstract

In the present study, two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of vitamin E (VE) supplementation of a commercial layer diet on the laying performance and immunological stress responses of hens and their offspring. In experiment 1, responses to increased dietary VE levels were evaluated on 180 White Leghorn layers between 20 and 35 weeks of age. There were three levels of VE in the diets (0, 40 and 100 IU/kg) and five replicates per treatment, each containing 12 hens. Results showed that the high level of VE supplementation (100 IU/kg) had a beneficial effect on feed intake and feed efficiency of hens (p < 0.05), compared with the VE-deficient or low-level group. In experiment 2, 540 female progeny from the VE-treated hens in experiment 1 were used. The experimental design consisted of three levels of VE supplementation (the same as their mothers') × 3 vaccinating routines, the first vaccination being administered on day 5, 8 or 11. All vaccines and the subsequent vaccinating intervals were identical. In the interim of the experiment, each bird was injected celiacly with Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The results showed that antibody titres against Newcastle disease virus (NDV) or avian influenza virus (AIV) and the plasma concentration of interleukin (IL)-1 were increased by the high level of VE supplementation. There were significant effects of the day of initial immunization with infection bursal disease on the NDV and AIV antibody titre, H/L ratio and plasma concentration of corticosterone and IL-1 before and after injecting LPS, suggesting the occurrence of immunological stress. There was also significant interaction between VE and vaccination routine on the immune functions of experimental birds. Considered together with the results of experiment 1, VEs biological function appeared to be dose-dependent, especially with regard to its positive effect on the immune responses of young chickens.

Effect of Immune Stress on Growth Performance and Immune Functions of Livestock: Mechanisms and Prevention

“…Under stress conditions, the requirements for vitamin C are increased, and therefore it is widely used in animal feed to alleviate the health impacts of IS. Adding high doses of vitamin E can increase the feed intake of laying hens during IS and also increase the level of antibodies after vaccination for NDV and avian influenza virus [ 137 ]. Vitamin E can inhibit the increase in proinflammatory cytokines, PGE2, and cortisol caused by IS [ 131 , 138 ].…”

Growth Performance, Cytokine Expression, and Immune Responses of Broiler Chickens Fed a Dietary Palm Oil and Sunflower Oil Blend Supplemented With L-Arginine and Varying Concentrations of Vitamin E

“…Among amino acids, Arg acts as an immunologic modulator in a non-inflammatory manner because of its function as a substrate in the immune system. Moreover, vitamins, particularly Vit E, are antioxidants and have been reported to influence immune function in birds, including humoral and cellular response (19,50).…”

“…Vit E (α-tocopherol) acts as an important antioxidant and can be used in the diet as an effective means of inhibiting lipid oxidation. It acts as an immunomodulator, shields membranes from free radical attack via the production of NO, and enhances immune function (19,20). Furthermore, Vit E supplementation has been reported to improve liver function and increase the number of white blood cells and red blood cells, thus increasing immune status in broilers (21).…”

Low-Concentration T-2 Toxin Attenuates Pseudorabies Virus Replication in Porcine Kidney 15 Cells

“…AFB1 is also a cofactor in the human herpesvirus-type-4-mediated carcinogenesis effect. Similarly, T2 aggravated the infection effects of avian infectious nasal bronchitis virus (IBV [16]), enhanced the anticoagulant effect of avian Newcastle disease virus (NDV [17]), and weakened the immune response of mice to reovirus (REOV), thus aggravating viral bronchitis [18]. In contrast, deoxynivalenol (DON) significantly reduced the replication of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) in vitro and in vivo [19], reduced the immune response of pigs to PRRSV, and affected the infection process of PRRSV [20].…”