Immunomodulatory and protective effects of sugar cane juice in chickens against Eimeria infection

Present paper reports the effects of sugar cane juice (SCJ) on immune responses and its protection against Eimeria (mixed species) infections in broiler chickens. Experiment 1 was conducted to test the dose efficacy of SCJ and its effects on chickens against coccidiosis. Maximum weight gain per day was recorded in chickens given SCJ @ 400 mg/kg body weight. Significantly (P0.01) low mortality and increased body weight gain per day were recorded in chickens administered SCJ orally and challenged with mixed species of genus Eimeria. Furthermore, mild hemorrhages, lower lesion scores (+1), and significantly lower number of oocysts shed in faeces were recorded in immunized chickens compared to control. Experiment 2 was carried out to evaluate the immunomodulatory effects of SCJ on cellular and humoral responses. Highest antibody titres (1:1024-1:16; GMT 367.28) were recorded in chickens administered SCJ @ 400 mg/kg body weight in comparison with control (1:16-1:2; GMT 2.82). To demonstrate the cell mediated immunity (CMI), amplitude of toe-web swelling 72 h post avian tuberculin injection was recorded in the experimental and control groups. Maximum swelling (8.13 ± 0.21 mm) was recorded in the experimental group as compared to control (1.04 ± 0.10); indicating higher cell mediated immune response. From these results it was concluded that SCJ elicit a significantly higher cellular and humoral responses compared to control, which may provide protection against Eimeria infections (mixed species) in chickens.