The effect of dietary L-arginine intake on the level of antibody titer, the relative organ weight and colon motility in broilers

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the effect of L-arginine (L-Arg) levels in diet at the starter, grower and finisher phases on immune response, organ development, nitric oxide (NO) metabolism and colon motility in broilers. A total of 500 one-day-old Ross-308 broiler chickens of mixed sex were separated into one Arg-deficient group and four experimental groups. Each group was then divided into five subgroups of 20 birds each. Arginine deficient group for all phases was fed a basal diet which contained 10% less L-Arg than optimum Arg requirement recommended by the breeder. Experimental groups were fed a basal diet supplemented with L-Arg which was progressively 10% increased in groups. Thus, the diet contained 90, 100, 110, 120 and 130% of optimum Arg requirement for each phases in groups, respectively.The highest serum infectious bursal disease antibody titer (IBD) was observed in the experimental group which was fed the diet containing 110% L-Arg at grower phase (P<0.05), whereas Newcastle disease antibody titer did not differ between groups. The relative weight of spleen increased in groups which were fed the diet containing 120 and 130% L-Arg at starter phase as compared to Arg-deficient group (P<0.05). The group which was fed the diet containing 110% L-Arg showed highest relative weight of bursa Fabricii at grower (P<0.05) and finisher (P<0.01) phases. It was observed that serum nitric oxide (NO) concentration decreased in Arg-deficient group (P<0.05). The amplitude of spontaneous colon contractility did not differ between groups at the end of all three phases. However, the frequency of spontaneous colon contractility in the Arg deficient group was higher at starter (P<0.05), grower (P<0.01) and finisher (P<0.05) phases.These results suggest that the supplementation of L-Arg at higher level than optimum Arg requirement in broiler diet has minimal effect on parameters investigated in the study. However, L-Arg-deficiency may negatively affect immune response and the motility of gastrointestinal system due to disruption of NO metabolism at three phases.

Effect of Arginine Supplementation on Growth Performance and Immunity of Broilers: A Review

“…110%arginine level had more weight of bursa of Fabricius weight (Bulbul et al, 2014) 25, 50, 75 and 100% Higher spleen weight at higher level of arg. (Cengiz and Kucukersan, 2010) level should be maintained in the diet for optimum performance and immunity in broilers.…”

“…Jahanian and Khalifeh-Gholi (2018) reported that increasing the level of arginine 100% in the diet of broilers results in increase in antibodies titer. Similarly, Bulbul et al (2014) reported that the antibody titers of infectious bursal disease (IBD) was more in the grower phase of broiler fed arginine level 110% as compare to NRC recommended level. Levels of arginine influences the weight of internal organs of the broilers which take part in the immunity of broilers (Bulbul et al 2014).…”

“…Similarly, Bulbul et al (2014) reported that the antibody titers of infectious bursal disease (IBD) was more in the grower phase of broiler fed arginine level 110% as compare to NRC recommended level. Levels of arginine influences the weight of internal organs of the broilers which take part in the immunity of broilers (Bulbul et al 2014). Bulbul et al (2014) reported that increasing the level of arginine from 120 and 130% increased the weight of spleen while diet containing 110% arginine level had more weight of bursa of Fabricius.…”

“…Increasing levels of arginine supplementation above the recommended level of NRC from 0.02 to 0.06% results in increase in red blood cells (RBC), hemoglobin, packed cell volume (PCV) and total leucocytes (WBC) while significant decrease in heterophil to lymphocyte ratio (H/L) (Al-Daraji and Salih, 2012). Arginine level also influence the antibody titers for various diseased (Bulbul et al, 2014). Jahanian and Khalifeh-Gholi (2018) reported that increasing the level of arginine 100% in the diet of broilers results in increase in antibodies titer.…”

“…Levels of arginine influences the weight of internal organs of the broilers which take part in the immunity of broilers (Bulbul et al 2014). Bulbul et al (2014) reported that increasing the level of arginine from 120 and 130% increased the weight of spleen while diet containing 110% arginine level had more weight of bursa of Fabricius. Similarly, Jahanian and Khalifeh-Gholi (2018) reported that the relative weight of bursa of Fabricius and spleen were more in birds fed 100% level of arginine.…”