Evaluation of Medicinal PlantEffects on Immune Responses and Serum Biochemical Parameters inJapanese quail

ABSTRACT: The response of Japanese quails to dietary levels of Mentha Piperita plant (MPP) and Alfalfa on immune responses and serum biochemical parameters was investigated. A total of 300 Japanese quails (one-day-old) were divided into five treatments. Each treatment comprised four replicates of fifteen birds (female and male). Five diets including basal diet (control) and basal diet supplemented with 1.5% MPP(T2),3% MPP (T3), 1.5% Alfalfa(T4) and 3% Alfalfa (T5), respectively. Two male birds of each replicate were immunized against sheep red blood cell (SRBC) at 28 and 35 d of age. Hemagglutination assay (HA) titers were determined 7 d after an intramuscular immunization and at the end of the experiment after slaughter the weight of immune organ such as bursa of fabricius, spleen and liver were taken. Serums biochemical parameters analyzed for glucose, cholestrol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and triglyceride by ELISA set. Following the administration of MPP and Alfalfa, the significantly decrease (P < 0.05) for number of eosinophil and significantly increase (P < 0.05) for number of lymphocytes and basophiles were observed. Birds receiving supplements of MPP and Alfalfa produced significantly higher HA antibody titers than control treatment. The results showed that the concentration of cholestrol and triglyceride were significantly different in different groups (P < 0.05).