The Modulating Effect of Dietary Beta-Glucan Supplementation on Expression of Immune Response Genes of Broilers during a Coccidiosis Challenge

Simple Summary Avian coccidiosis is the leading parasitic disease in the poultry industry and means to control its damages continue to be explored. This study evaluated the feeding effects of a yeast-derived beta-glucan on expression of immune response genes in the spleen, thymus, and bursa of commercial broiler chickens during an Eimeria challenge. The study consisted of two dietary treatments (0% or 0.1% beta-glucan) each with or without a coccidiosis challenge. There were significant effects from dietary beta-glucan, Eimeria challenge, and their interaction for several gene targets in the spleen, thymus, and bursa on days 10 and 14 of age. Based on the current results, supplementation of dietary beta-glucan in Eimeria-challenged birds enhanced and modulated the expression of immune response genes during coccidiosis. This study investigated the effects of a yeast-derived beta-glucan (Auxoferm YGT) supplementation on mRNA expression of immune response genes in the spleen, thymus, and bursa of broiler chickens during a mixed Eimeria infection. Day (d)-old chicks (n = 1440) were fed diets containing 0% or 0.1% YGT. On d 8 post-hatch, half the replicate pens (n = 8) were challenged with a mixed inoculum of E. acervulina, E. maxima, and E. tenella. On d 10 and d 14 post-hatch, the spleen, thymus, and bursa were collected to evaluate mRNA abundance by quantitative real-time PCR. Data were analyzed using PROC GLIMMIX model (2-way interaction) and differences were established by LS-MEANS with significance reported at p <= 0.05. In spleen tissues at d 10, expression of interleukin (IL)-10 and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) were elevated in both 0.1% YGT-fed challenged and non-challenged birds. In thymus tissues at d 14, expression of IL-10, IL-17F, interferon (IFN)-gamma, iNOS, and macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) were elevated in challenged birds fed 0.1% YGT. In bursal tissues at d 10 and d 14, expression of IL-10, IFN-gamma, iNOS (d 10 only), and MIF were elevated in 0.1% YGT-fed challenged and non-challenged birds. Dietary beta-glucan supplementation to chicken diets modulated their immune response to the Eimeria challenge.

Automated summary

This study evaluated the impact of yeast-derived beta-glucan supplementation on the expression of immune response genes in commercial broiler chickens during an Eimeria challenge. The results showed that dietary beta-glucan enhanced and modulated the expression of immune response genes in the spleen, thymus, and bursa of broiler chickens during coccidiosis, indicating its potential as a feed additive for improving immune response in poultry.