Vol. 6, Issue 11 (2017)

Author(s):
Nancy Sheoran, Vinus, Sajjan Sihag and NS Maan

Abstract:
One hundred and forty White Leghorn layers of 22-23±0.08 weeks of age were divided randomly into seven experimental groups, having 4 replicates with 5 birds in each. Feeding trial was conducted for period of 16 weeks. During the trial, in (T₁) control group layers were fed basal diet formulated as per BIS (2007) standards. While the basal diet was supplemented with probiotics (containing 5×10⁸cfu/g of Lactobacillus fermentum, 1×10⁹cfu/g of Bacillus spp. and 1×10⁹cfu/g of Saccharomyces cerevisiae) @ 0.5g, 1.0g and 2.0g Kg^-1 feed in T₂, T₃ and T₄ treatment groups, respectively. In the present study the relative mRNA expression levels of immunity related genes viz. Toll like receptors (TLRs) TLR 5, TLR 21 and TNF receptor associated factor 6 (TRAF 6) was analyzed in reference to endogenous reference gene β-Actin. The study results revealed that there was significant (P<0.05) downregulation in the relative mRNA expression levels of TLR 5 and its downstream gene TRAF 6 when increasing levels of the probiotics and prebiotics were supplemented to the laying hens. While, significant upregulation was observed in differential expression of TLR 21 due dietary inclusion of these feed additives. Thus, it can be concluded that the dietary inclusion of the probiotics and prebiotics can enhance the T cell mediated innate response in hens and in turn boost their immunity by significantly affecting the genes related immunity.