Possibilities for Improvement of Humoral Innate Immunity in Turkeys and Hens in Conditions of Thermal Stress by the Immunomodulator Immunobeta

The experiments for evaluation of the effect of Immunobeta® were performed with turkeys and organically reared layer hens. Turkeys received Immunobeta® at a dose of 4 g/kg feed during the beginning of lay (cold period), thermoneutral period and hot summer period. In hens, two dietary levels of Immunobeta® were tested: 2 g/kg and 4 g/kg. Blood serum and egg white lysozyme levels, alternative pathway of complement activation (APCA) and beta-lysins concentrations were determined. It was found out that Immunobeta® had a beneficial effect on serum lysozyme, APCA activity and beta-lysins in turkeys and hens. The lysozyme concentration in egg white was significantly higher in eggs produced by birds treated with both doses of the immunomodulator. Immunobeta®, offered at a dose of 4.0 g/kg feed had a beneficial effect on natural humoral immunity factors. Applied at a dose of 4.0 g/kg, the tested immunomodulator increased significantly egg white lysozyme concentrations in hens, presuming a higher shelf life of eggs and possibly, better protection of chick embryos.