Effect Of Royal jelly On Humoral Antibody Response, Blood Chemistry And Performance Of Broiler &Layer Chickens

Abstract

This study was conducted to: 1. Evaluate the effects of honey bees royal jelly on humoral antibody response and blood chemistry of chickens. 2. Evaluate the effects of royal jelly on weight of broiler (meat) chickens, egg production, quality of egg and egg shell of layer chickens. In the first experiment forty single – comb white Hisex, layer chickens of both sexes were leg banded and divided into four groups (A, B, C and D: 5 males and 5 females). At eight weeks of age, the chickens of group B and C were treated with 200mg royal jelly in distilled water given orally of subcutaneously. Both groups as well as group A were immunized each with 0.2 ml of 1% sheep red blood cells (SRBC) suspension in phosphate buffer saline (PBS). Group D served as control – not immunized and not given royal jelly. The treated chickens were re-immunized after 10 days. In the second experiment the royal jelly was given to the three groups but with different periods of feeding: Group A was given royal jelly – 1 ml daily, group B - 1 ml day after day and group C - 1 ml twice a week. No royal jelly was given to group D. In the first experiment the results indicate that there in an increase in the immune level and production of antibody against SRBC in groups B and C compared to group A. No significant difference in the total protein or serum enzymes. In the second experiment results revealed a highly significant increase in body weight of broiler chickens, in egg production, egg quality, egg shell, yolk and albumen heights in layer chickens compared with control groups.