THE INFLUENCE OF FUNGAL β-GLUCAN ON NONSPECIFIC IMMUNITY IN BROILER CHICKS

The influence of beta-1,311,6-D-glucan isolated from Pleurotus ostreatus added to the diet at a level of 20 g/t (group B-20 and 40 g/t (group B-40) for the whole trial and 40 g/t from the 1st to the 14th day and 20 g/t from the 15th to the 42nd day of the trial (group B40+20) was examined on some immune markers in hybrid Ross 308 chicks. A significantly higher number of monocytes (p < 0.01, p < 0.05) and significantly higher phagocytic indiced of leukocytes (p < 0.01) and heterophiles (p < 0.001) after 35 days of the trial were observed in group B-40 in comparison to the control group and group B-20. Significantly higher phagocytic indices of leukocytes (p < 0.01) and heterophiles (p < 0.001) in comparison to the control group and group B-20 was found also in group B40+20. The total number of leukocytes, heterophiles, eosinophiles, basophiles and lymphocytes were not significantly influenced, but heterophil/ lymphocyte ratio was significantly lower in group B-40 (p < 0.05) in comparison to the control group. These results show that beta-glucan from Pleurotus ostreatus can stimulate nonspecific immunity and reduce the susceptibility of stress in broiler chicken, whereas higher concentrations have a stronger effect.