Some productive and immunitary effects of glucans extracted from Claviceps purpurea in broiler chickens

Abstract

The impact of the standard diet supplemented with glucans extracted from Claviceps purpurea on some productive and immune parameters was studied on a 28 days experiment performed on 30 broiler chickens beginning from the 25th day of life. The chicks were breed in semiintensive conditions, being randomly arranged in three equal groups, according to their body weight. They were fed with specific commercial food, balanced in nutrient principles, each day the glucanic extracts being added in a dosage of 20 mg/kg of body weight for the group E1 and 40 mg/kg of body weight for group E2; the extracts were mixed with the food, after being diluted in distillated water, 10%. At the end of the experiment, the control group reached a weight gain of 644 g. The group E1 (with 20 mg of glucanic extract/kg) reached a weight gain of 696 g, this fact representing a significant difference in comparison with the control group (+ 52 g). The group E 2 (with 40 mg of glucanic extract/kg) reached a weight gain of 728 g, also a significant difference in comparison with the control group (+ 84 g). The specific fodder consumption was of 2,11 kg fodder/kg b. w. in group E2, slightly higher in group E1, that is 2,21 kg fodder/kg b. w., the fodder consumption for the control group being of 2,40 kg fodder/kg b. w., significantly higher than that for the groups E1 and E2. The biochemical blood exam revealed a significant reduction of serum triglycerides in the experimental groups. Histological exam revealed a significant increase of lymphoid populations associated with digestive tract mucosa in the experimental groups