Effect of Berberis aristata Root Powder on Haematological Indices of Broiler Chickens under Dexamethasone-induced Immunosuppression
Rashmi Goswami *
Department of Veterinary Medicine, C.V.A.Sc., G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand, 263145, India.
Niddhi Arora
Department of Veterinary Medicine, C.V.A.Sc., G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand, 263145, India.
Sonu Ambwani
Department of Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering, C.B.S.H., G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand, 263145, India.
Meena Mrigesh
Department of Veterinary Anatomy, C.V.A.Sc., G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand, 263145, India.
Tanuj Kumar Ambwani
Department of Veterinary Physiology and Biochemistry, C.V.A.Sc., G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand, 263145, India.
J. L. Singh
Department of Veterinary Medicine, C.V.A.Sc., G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand, 263145, India.
Aamir Ahmad Bhat
Department of Livestock Production Management, C.V.A.Sc., G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand, 263145, India.
Damini Arya
Department of Veterinary Gynaecology and Obstetrics, C.V.A.Sc., G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand, 263145, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Intensively reared broilers are exposed to multiple stressors that increase circulating glucocorticoid levels, resulting in immunosuppression and reduced productivity. Circulating blood cells are among the earliest and most accessible indicators of this state. The present study examined whether dietary Berberis aristata root powder (BARP), derived from a berberine-rich Himalayan medicinal plant, modulates the haematological response of broiler chickens to dexamethasone (DEX)-induced immunosuppression. Vitamin E plus selenium (VE+Se) was used as a comparative antioxidant treatment.
A total of 180 day-old Cobb 430 broiler chicks were allotted to six groups (3 replicates of 10 birds each): T1, basal diet; T2, BARP (1% of the diet); T3, DEX + BARP; T4, VE+Se; T5, DEX + VE+Se; T6, DEX alone. DEX was administered in drinking water at 1 mg/kg body weight for 7 days, on days 8–14 of age. Blood samples were collected on days 15, 30, and 45 for haematological analysis.
DEX alone produced a typical glucocorticoid-induced stress leukogram on day 15: leucocytosis, heterophilia, lymphopenia and a raised heterophil:lymphocyte (H:L) ratio. It also reduced haemoglobin (Hb), total erythrocyte count (TEC) and packed cell volume (PCV), while increasing MCV and MCH. Reduced TEC and the altered leukogram persisted to day 45 of the experiment. Co-feeding BARP restored Hb and PCV to control values by day 15 and TEC by day 30. BARP supplementation lowered the H:L ratio relative to DEX alone on days 30 and 45, although not to control levels. VE+Se provided comparable erythroid protection and a complete leukogram recovery. In non-stressed birds, BARP improved TEC, Hb and PCV from day 30, without altering the leukogram.
Dietary BARP at 1% partially protected the haematological profile of broilers against glucocorticoid-induced stress and supported erythropoiesis under normal conditions, warranting further evaluation as a phytogenic feed additive for broilers.
Keywords: Berberis aristata, berberine, broiler, dexamethasone, haematology, heterophil:lymphocyte ratio, immunosuppression, phytogenic feed additive