Sensitivity of humoral immune parameters of poultry to minor macro- and micronutrient differences in two nutritionally complete layer feeds

The effect of differences in the composition of nutrients of two nutritionally complete layer diets on parameters from innate and adaptive immunity of chickens were examined. The diets were based on ingredients grown either organically or conventionally. As individual differences in nutrient sensitivity have been reported and as the immune system was used as a sensory organ to detect possible effects, layer hens divergently selected for high and low specific antibody (Ab) responses to SRBC, i.e. low line hens and high line hens, reflecting a genetically based differential immune competence were used. The parental line of these hens was randomly bred as the control line, and was used as well. To examine maternal and/or epigenetic effects on nutrient sensitivity, two subsequent generations were studied. In addition, the second generation was challenged with keyhole limpet haemocyanin (KLH). The most pronounced dietary effects were found in the low line birds of the first generation: specific Ab titres to NC...