There is a global trend of legislation to eliminate certain substances used in animal feed. Searching for alternatives to keep productive parameters good at once to meet the legal requirements and consumers. Pronutrients are a good alternative because its application strengthens and maintains animal health, having a positive impact on management and economical parameters We can define pronutrients as “Micro ingredient included in feed in relatively small quantities with the mission of improving animal’s physiology so the body can response better to those situations that would lead to worse productive parameters, by maintaining or even improving the parameters.

The pronutrients containes in the studied products are those included in the extracts of Ocimum sanctus and Embelia officinalis. Those pronutients are heteroglycane polysaccharides, proanthocyanidins, isopteropodin and gamma interpheron precursors.

The following trial is to evaluate the effect of the pronutrients to improve the immunitary response of poultry after administration of the usual vaccines.

Mode of action

Stimulates macrophages activity, increasing their ability to kill microorganisms.

• Increases secretion of gamma-interferon, that activates inflammatory response to an infection.
• Increases antibody production.
• Stimulates neutrophyl activity, thus increasing microorganism elimination.
• Decreases hypersensitivity reactions.
• Enhances resistance to disease.
• Estimulates immune system :

Non-specific: Increases macrophage and neutrophyl activity, stimulates elimination of micro-organisms

Specific: increases antibody secretion.

Benefits

• Strengthens general immune condition in young and adult animals.
• In sick animals, limits the chances of secondary and recurrent infections.
• Improves immune response to vaccines, enhancing their effectiveness

Field Trial

The present trial has the objective of determining the efficacy of the product by its effect on the immune response against three bird viral diseases such as Gumboro, Newcastle and Infectious Bronchitis and its efficacy on the general antibacterial resistance. The product is formulated based on botanical extracts of Ocimum sanctum and Embelia officinalis. It is administered in feed at doses of 0.5-1 litres/tone.

Material and Methodology:

The trial has consisted of dividing the chicks in 8 different batches (19.000 chicks per batch). In 38.000 chicks out of them, it has been administered the product, while the rest of them (114.000 chicks) no immune booster has been administered.

The product has been administered at 500ml/1000L of drinking water during 7 days (from 7th to 14th) and other 7 days (from 28th to 35th).

At day 40, a blood test has been carried out to a significant number of broilers in order to evaluate the number of titers against Newcastle, Gumboro and Bronchitis.

Vaccination program

• At incubation chamber, vaccine spray against Newcastle
• At incubation chamber, vaccine H120 against Bronchitis
• At 10th day, vaccine spray against Newcastle
• At 12th day, vaccine in drinking water against Gumboro
• At 23rd day, vaccine in drinking water against Newcastle

Results against Newcastle

1. According to GMT, the average titers in batches 2 and 3 is 3563 comparing to the average titers in the rest of batches which is 3354. Therefore the number of titers with botanic extracts is 6.23% higher.
2. According to MT, the average titers in batches 2 and 3 is 5262 comparing to the average titers in the rest of batches which is 5037. Therefore the number of titers with botanic extracts is 4.47 higher.

Results against Gumboro

1. According to GMT, the average titers in batches 2 and 3 is 5918 comparing to the average titers in the rest of batches which is 5471. Therefore the number of titers with botanic extracts is 8.17% higher.
2. According to MT, the average titers in batches 2 and 3 is 6494 comparing to the average titers in the rest of batches which is 5996. Therefore the number of titers with botanic extracts is 8.31% higher.

Results against Bronchitis

1. According to GMT, the average titers in batches 2 and 3 is 1819 comparing to the average titers in the rest of batches which is 1473. Therefore the number of titers with botanic extracts is 23.48% higher.
2. According to MT, the average titers in batches 2 and 3 is 2045 comparing to the average titers in the rest of batches which is 1581. Therefore the number of titers with botanic extracts is 29.35% higher.

Figures about mortality

1. 42 days old, birds from batches with botanic extracts included have a mortality of 4.29% which represents 1 per 1000 a day (under normal parameters).
2. On the contrary, at 42 days old, birds from the rest of batches have a mortality of 7.29% which represents 1,39 per 1000 a day.
3. Therefore we can conclude that mortality is 39% higher in batches where botanic extracts has not been administered

Dead animals per week
Blue.- botanic extracts
Red.- Control group

Effects on the weight

1. At 28 days old, birds from batches with botanic extracts included have an average weight of 1352g, while the birds from the rest of batches have a weight of 1343 gr.
2. At 35 days old, birds from batches with botanic extracts included have an average weight of 1906g, while the birds from the rest of batches have a weight of 1936 gr.
3. Therefore the difference between them at 28 days old is + 0.69 % while at 35 days old is -1.15%. Thus, these results have no statistical significance.

Blue.- Botanics extracts
Red.- Control group

Conclusions

1. The use of botanic extracts improves the immune status and reduces the general mortality significantly.
2. The use of botanic extracts improves the specific immune response against Gumboro, Newcastle and Infectious Bronchitis diseases.
3. The use of botanic extracts reduces the mortality in the last weeks as well as the use of antibiotics at the end of the breeding period of birds.
4. The use of botanic extracts has no effect on body weight.