Influence of "``Avigen Duck" Immunomodulator on Some Humoral Factors of Non-specific Protection in White Pekin Ducks Parents

Abstract

Field trials were carried out to investigate the impact of “AVIGEN DUCK”  immunomodulator on the IFN-γ concentration, IL-2, IL-6, lysozyme, and betalysine activity in the blood serum in White Pekin ducks’ parents. The IFN-γ, IL-2, and IL-6 were analyzed by immunoenzyme methods, while the lysozyme and beta-lysine activities were determined using conventional techniques. The measured values among experimental birds for most parameters were significantly higher than those in controls during the observed period. An exception to this trend were the concentrations of lysozyme and beta-lysine, in which an inverse relationship was noticed. During the experiments, the challenged flocks were bred without the use of antibiotics. Based on collected data we consider the immunomodulator “AVIGEN DUCK” a successful alternative tool in the fight against microbial resistance associated with the use of antibiotics in poultry farming, as well as a means of enhancing the natural immunity in aquatic birds.