Immunoregulatory effects of TaishanPinus massonianapollen polysaccharide on chicks co-infected withavian leukosisvirus andBordetella aviumearly inovo

In recent years, co-infection of chicken embryos with immunosuppressive viruses and bacteria occurs with an annually increasing frequency. Consequently, studies on new and safe immunoregulators, especially plant polysaccharides, have become a popular topic in the poultry industry. In the present study, we selected 300 specific pathogen free embryonated eggs, which were injected with subgroup Bavian leukosisvirus (ALV-B) andBordetella avium(B. avium) to establish an artificial co-infection model. The chicks that hatched from these co-infected embryonated eggs were treated with TaishanPinus massonianapollen polysaccharide (TPPPS). Results indicated that relevant indices in the co-infection group were significantly lower than that inB. avium-only group. Furthermore, pathogenicity ofB. aviumwas exacerbated, with the chicks exhibiting decreased body weights. The TPPPS groups exhibited gradual improvements in immune function and developmental status. Therefore, in terms of improving immunologic function and production performance, TPPPS could be used as immunoregulator for immune responses.