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In-feed supplementation of white button Agaricus bisporus affects the systemic cellular immunity of broiler chickens

The problem of increased sanitary problems in intensive farming of food animals have been overcome thus far by adding sub-therapeutic doses of antibiotic growth promoters (AGP) in-feed to enhance production efficiency in poultry production systems. Since 2006 the European-wide directives are restricting the use of in-feed AGP in food animals. To accommodate the withdrawal of AGP, there is intensive search for alternative strategies to prevent and control losses among broiler chickens. Besides vaccination, these strategies include another non-antibiotic approach offered by the use of broad spectrum of natural and synthetic preparations termed immune response modifiers (IRMs). These substances stimulate functions of the immune system and are capable of reducing harmful effects of birth in chickens by preventing/controlling infectious diseases. The naturally occurring molecules with a long history as IRMs are p-glucans, polysaccharides isolated from yeast species and numerous mushrooms. The current study will analyze immunomodulating properties of dried/powdered white button (Agaricus bisporus) preparation (WBP) added to commercial feed for broilers in either 10 g/kg or 20 g/kg concentrations. By cytometric analyses we have determined the proportions of peripheral blood CD45* lymphoid cells and CD4+ or CD8* T cells in broiler chickens from birth (Day 0) to the end of fattening period (Day 38). The broilers fed with either concentration of WBP in the diet had significantly higher proportions of CD45+ lymphoid cells (p<0.001) as well as of CD4* (p<0.001) and CD8* T cells (p<0.01) at Days 14, 28 and 38 of the trial as compared to the controls. Much higher proportion of CD45+ lymphoid cells (p<0.01) were observed during the trial period in the broilers fed diet supplemented with 10g/kg of WBP. Conversely, CD4*and CD8*T cells were significantly higher at either Days 14 and 28 (p<0.001) or Days 14 (p<0.05) and 38 (p<0.01) of the trial, respectively, in the broilers fed diet with 20 g/kg of WBP. These effects of WBP may be considered as indicative for the justification of our approach to introduce (B-glucan rich mushrooms, /'. e. natural in-diet IRM as an alternative to in-feed AGP in the intensive production of broiler chickens.

Cellular immunity; Broilers; Agaricus bisporus

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