Possibilities for Improvement of Humoral Innate Immunity in Turkeys and Hens in Conditions of Thermal Stress by the Immunomodulator Immunobeta®

The experiments for evaluation of the effect of Immunobeta® were performed with turkeys and organically reared layer hens. Turkeys received Immunobeta® at a dose of 4 g/kg feed during the beginning of lay (cold period), thermoneutral period and hot summer period. In hens, two dietary levels of Immunobeta® were tested: 2 g/kg and 4 g/kg. Blood serum and egg white lysozyme levels, alternative pathway of complement activation (APCA) and beta-lysins concentrations were determined. It was found out that Immunobeta® had a beneficial effect on serum lysozyme, APCA activity and betalysins in turkeys and hens. The lysozyme concentration in egg white was significantly higher in eggs produced by birds treated with both doses of the immunomodulator. Immunobeta®, offered at a dose of 4.0 g/kg feed had a beneficial effect on natural humoral immunity factors. Applied at a dose of 4.0 g/kg, the tested immunomodulator increased significantly egg white lysozyme concentrations in hens, presuming a higher shelf life of eggs and possibly, better protection of chick embryos.