Immune Response of Broiler Chickens Fed Diets with Different Levels of Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana Linn.) Rind Powder

The general objective of the study is to determine the immune response of feeding diets with different levels of mangosteen rind powder to broiler chickens. Specifically, it aimed (1) to determine the immune responses of broiler chickens on the total white blood cell count, heterophil count and lymphocyte count, including the presence of basophils, eosinophils and monocytes and (2) to determine the immune effects of the different levels of mangosteen rind powder on the bursa of Fabricius and spleen through histological examination. The study was conducted in a Completely Randomzed Design. A total of eighty (80) day old chicks were randomly distributed into five (5) different treatments. The five (5) treatments used include the control wherein no mangosteen rind powder or no commercial antioxidant is incorporated in the diet, commercial antioxidant incorporated in the diet, 33 g of mangosteen rind powder/ kg of feed, 66 g of mangosteen rind powder/ kg of feed and 100 g of mangosteen rind powder/ kg of feed. For study 1 and 2, formulated diets of corn-soya based was used incorporated with different levels of mangosteen rind powder were used. The inclusion of 66 g and 100 g of mangosteen rind powder per kg of feed in the diet of broiler chickens increased the total white blood cell count, heterophil count, lymphocyte concentration in the bursa of Fabricius and the spleen lymphatic node formation. Results show that mangosteen rind powder at 66 g/kg of feed and 100 g/ kg of feed enhances the immune system of broiler chickens.

Keywords – Mangosteen rind powder, Broiler Chickens, Immune Response