Effect of Xylitol Feeding on Antibody Production and Inflammatory Responses in Broiler Chicks

Abstract

Effect of dietary xylitol on antibody titers to sheep blood red cells (SRBC) and immunoglobulin (Ig) G concentration in plasma and concanvalin A stimulated-blood T cell proliferation was studied in broiler chicks. In addition, changes in feed intake, and plasma acute phase proteins concentration such as alpha-1 acid glycoprotein and ceruloplasmin following single injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS, Salmonella enteritidis, 1.5mg/kg body weight) were also determined. Male broiler chicks (8 days of age, Ross strain) were fed either diet containing glucose or xylitol for 22 days. A SRBC suspension (5 : 100, v/v) in a phosphate buffer was intravenously injected at 15 and 25 days of age and a blood sample was obtained at 21 and 29 days of age from wing vein. Thereafter, chicks were intraperitoneally injected with LPS and blood was obtained 0, 9 and 24 hours after the injection. Growth performance for 22 days before the LPS injection did not differ between dietary groups. The antibody titers against SRBC and plasma IgG concentration were greater in chicks fed the xylitol diet than those in chicks fed the glucose diet at 21 days of age, but not at 29 days of age. Proliferation of T cell induced by Con A before the injection of LPS did not differ in dietary treatments. Significantly greater feed intake during 24 hours following LPS injections was observed in chicks fed the xylitol diet relative in chicks fed the glucose diet. Acute phase proteins concentration in plasma at 9 and 24 hours following single injection of LPS did not differ in chicks fed the xylitol and glucose diets, except ceruloplasmin concentration at 9 hours after LPS injection. The results suggested that dietary xylitol enhanced antibody production without impairing growth performance, and alleviated reduction of feed intake without impairing early inflammatory responses even when they were received relatively high level of immune stimulation.