J. Env. Bio-Sci., 2016: Vol.

30 (1):151-153
(151) ISSN 0973-6913 (Print), ISSN 0976-3384 (On Line)

EFFECT OF DIETARY SUPPLEMENTATION OF CORDYCEPS (SERICEPINS)

AND ESSENTIAL OILS ON IMMUNE STATUS AND ORGANS
OF COMMERCIAL BROILERS
H.C. Indresh-1*, C.T. Chandre Gowda-2, B.C. Girish-2, M.C. Shivakumar-2, M.A. Sunil Kumar-2 and B. N. Suresh-2
1-
Department of Livestock Production and Management, Veterinary College, KVAFSU, Hassan
2-
Department of ILFC, Veterinary College, KVAFSU, Hassan, Karnataka- 573 202, India.
(Corresponding author E-mail1*: drindreshpsc@gmail.com)

Received: 09-02-2016 Revised: 23-02-2016 Accepted: 13-03-2016

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of dietary inclusion of Cordyceps and/or essential oils on histology of vital organs
and immunity in commercial broilers. A commercial diet without antibiotic was served as negative control (T1) and with added
antibiotic served as positive control (T7). Five test diets were prepared by supplementing commercial diet with Cordyceps @ 50g/
kg (T2) and 100g/kg (T3), essential oils @ 125g/kg (T4) and 250g/kg (T5), Cordyceps @ 50g/kg and essential oils 125g/kg (T6). Each
test diets were formulated for pre-starter (0-14 days), starter (15-28 days) and grower (29-42 days) was offered to triplicate
groups of 10 day-old straight run commercial chicks each. At the end of 42 days trial, the antibody titers against IBD and ND were
found to be highest in group T6 (3220 and 32 units respectively). The histological investigation of different organs indicated
relatively higher cellularity in the cortex of Thymus and Bursa of Fabricius in group T6. It was concluded that inclusion of Cordyceps
and essential oils together in the diet has beneficial effects on cellularity of immune organs and immune status of broilers.
Antibiotics have been widely utilized as feed additives in the growth promoters). However, additional studies are required
poultry industry to improve growth rate and feed conversion to assess the effect of Cordyceps or Cordyceps with essential
efficiency, as well as reduce morbidity and mortality1. However, oils on immunity and lymphoid organs of broilers. In this
the use of antibiotics indiscriminately or at sub-therapeutic context, a trial was undertaken to study the efficacy of a
levels has raised concerns regarding the transmission and Cordyceps and essential oils individually or together at different
the proliferation of resistant bacteria via the food chain. Hence, levels as a substitute for antibiotic in the diet of broilers.
many countries have restricted or even banned the use of
MATERIAL AND METHODS
antibiotics as feed additives in poultry diets. This restriction
on the use of antibiotics as feed additives has driven scientists A total of 210 one day-old unsexed commercial broiler chicks
to develop alternatives such as organic acids, feed enzymes, (Cobb 400) were distributed in to 21 groups comprising 10
and pro- or pre-biotics and the efficacy of these substances is chicks each. The birds were reared under deep litter system
being well established. In contrast, plants and their extracts, in a well-ventilated and hygienic house. The feed and water
especially like essential oils and Cordyceps are a new class was offered free choice. The other managemental practices
of feed additives and knowledge regarding their modes of action including vaccination programme were accomplished during
and aspects of application are still rudimentary2. the 42-day experimental period as per the prevailing commercial
practices.
Essential oils are important aromatic components of herbs
and spices and their biological activities include antibacterial, A commercial diet without antibiotic was served as negative
antifungal, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Similarly, control diet (T1) and with added antibiotic (Zinc bacitracin)
Cordyceps sinesis, a fungus is a rich source of nutraceuticals served as positive control (T7). Test diets were prepared by
which are deemed essential for their antioxidant, anti-tumor, supplementing commercial diets with Cordyceps @ 50g/kg
and antimicrobial properties3. Cordyceps and its extracts are (T2) and 100g/kg (T3), essential oils @ 125g/kg (T4) and 250g/
used widely to revitalize the various physiological systems of kg (T5), Cordyceps @ 50g/kg and essential oils 125g/kg (T6).
the body from the ancient era in man and animals. One study Each diet prepared for pre-starter (0-14 days), starter (15-28
indicated that Cordyceps enhances physiological activity in days) and grower (29-42 days) was offered randomly to triplicate
chicks and can be used as a substitute for AGPs (Antibiotic groups of 10 day-old straight run commercial chicks each.

NAAS Rating (2016)-4.20

 EFFECT OF DIETARY SUPPLEMENTATION OF CORDYCEPS (152)

The Cordyceps and essential oils preparations employed in analyzed for antibody titers against ND and IBD. The ND and
the present study were supplied by M/s Sericare Pvt Ltd., IBD titres were statistically similar in all the groups. The
Bangalore, India. absolute weight of lymphoid organs (Table-2) viz., spleen,
thymus and bursa was highest in group fed diet supplemented
At the terminal day of experiment (42nd day), two birds from
with both Cordyceps and essential oil. An acidic polysaccharide
each replicate (2 male and 2 female birds per treatment) were
isolated from the extract of Cordyceps militarism had beneficial
randomly selected for blood collection. About 2 ml blood was
therapeutic effects on influenza A virus infection at least in
collected by puncturing the brachial vein of the bird in 5 ml
part by modulation of the immune function of macrophages5.
glass test tubes. After 8 to 10 hours, serum was collected as
Some workers observed that the feeding of Cordyceps at
per the standard procedures and was stored at -20 0C till
different did not significantly affect the bursal weight6. Similarly,
subsequent analysis. The serum samples were assayed for
supplementing essential oils has been reported to improve
antibody titre against Newcastle disease (ND) by HI test and
the immune status of piglets after weaning, as indicated by an
Infectious bursal disease (IBD) using ELISA technique.
increase in lymphocyte proliferation rate, phagocytosis rate,
Treatment-wise means of titre were calculated.
as well as in IgG, IgA, IgM, C3 and C4 serum levels7-8. Generally,
All the birds selected for blood collection were separated and the higher spleen, thymus and bursa weight reflects better
starved for 12 hrs however with a provision of plenty of water. health status, possibly indicating very little
Then immediately after recording their live body weights (pre- immunosuppression. This data appears to indicate that the
slaughter bird weight), the birds were sacrificed by cervical health of birds consuming the diet supplemented with both
dislocation and the carcasses were subjected for the (Cordyceps and essential oils) was better. The stained tissues
organometry study. The weights of the lymphoid organs viz., were evaluated for histological findings employing qualitative
thymus, bursa and spleen from each sacrificed bird were observations. The findings were tabulated (Table-3) for each
recorded and expressed as the percent of pre-slaughter bird tissue and intergroup comparison was carried out. The
weight (g/100g). histopathological investigation revealed that there were no
treatment related changes in spleen. The cortex of the Thymus
After necropsy examination, tissue panel involving Spleen,
and Bursa of Fabricius revealed relatively higher cellularity in
Bursa of Fabricius and Thymus were collected and fixed in
T6 in comparison with other groups. Increased cellularity
10% NBF (Neutral Buffered Formalin). After fixation
correlated well with increased absolute weight of these
representative tissue samples were trimmed, processed with
lymphoid organs (Thymus 52% and Bursa of Fabricius 14%
routine techniques and paraffin embedded. The tissue blocks
over control group/T1).
were later sectioned to approximately 5 μ m thickness and
stained with haematoxylin and eosin. The stained tissues were
evaluated for histological findings employing qualitative Table-1.Antibody titres of birds under different groups
observations. The findings were tabulated for each tissue and
at the end of the trial.
intergroup comparison was carried out. The statistical analysis
of all observed and recorded data was carried out according to
the standard methods4.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The results of the investigation undertaken to study the Effect

of dietary supplementation of Cordyceps (Sericepins) and
essential oils on Immune Organs in broilers are presented an
discussed in this section. The antibody titer values against
ND and IBD are presented in Table-1. The results revealed at
the end the end of the trial (42nd day), the serum samples were
(153) INDRESH, GOWDA, GIRISH, SHIVAKUMAR, KUMAR AND SURESH

Table-2.Lymphoid organ weight of birds under different groups at the end of the trial

Table-3.Histology report at the end of the trial

Grading: -: Nil +: Minimal ++: Mild +++: Moderate ++++: Severe/Maximum

Abbreviations: NA: Not applicable, NAD: No Abnormality Detected

5. W. L. Willis, D. C. Wall, O. S. Isikhuemhen, J. N. Jackson, S. Ibrahim,

S. L. Hurley, and F. Anike (2013).The Open Mycology Journal, 7:
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