DOI: 10.36347/sjavs.2016.v03i06.002

Pages: 406-410

Indian poultry industry is fast growing and poultry meat is not subjected to cultural and religious restrictions. Utilization of medicinal plants as feed ingredient for broilers is increasing due to its growth promoting quality and capacity to reduce antimicrobial resistance among broilers. Selenium is an essential micronutrient required for normal growth and maintenance in poultry. The present experimental study was undertaken to study the effects of selenium and Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) on haematological and immunological parameters of VenCobb-400 broilers. Three hundred and sixty (360) day old chicks were selected and divided in to six groups (T0 to T5) with 3 replicates of each group, 20 chicks in each replicate. Ashwagandha and selenium were supplemented in broiler chicken feed at different levels for different group. The haematological parameters viz. haemoglobin concentration, packed cell volume, total erythrocyte count, total leucocyte count and differential leucocyte count were assessed as per standard procedures. The cell mediated immune response was estimated by skin hypersensitivity test using 1% 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene reagent in acetone and it was evaluated after 24, 48 and 72 hours post inoculation. The data obtained in the present study were analyzed statistically by using Complete Randomized Design one way Anova procedure of SPSS version 20. The broiler groups treated simultaneously with both the Ashwagandha and selenium showed significantly higher values of haematological parameters when compared to that of other groups. The cell mediated immunity of birds analysed by cutaneous basophil hypersensitivity reaction was found at higher levels in Ashwagandha and selenium treated groups. Supplementation of 2.5g Ashwagandha and 0.15 mg Selenium per Kg of feed was found to be optimum combination for better haematological and immunological attributes for broilers. This may be due to the synergistic effect of Ashwagandha and selenium on the haematol