Abstract

To investigate the effects of traditional Chinese herbal medicines (TCHM) on hematological parameters and immunity in chickens, Astragalus membranaceus (AM), Angelicae sinensisextract (ASE) and Danggui Buxue San (DBS) were used for the study of immunity and hematinic mechanism in order to provide basis for clinical reference. Three hundred 56-week-old hens were randomized into 10 groups. AM were added into the diets of the animals at the dosage of 5, 10 and 15 mg/kg, respectively from group I to group III; ASE were added from group IV to group VI and DBS were added from VII to group IX in the same way. The hens of group X, as of control, were fed with the diet without TCHM. At 1 day of test, all hens of each group were injected against Newcastle disease virus (NDV)-IV vaccine. The added TCHM period was 15 days. At 8 and 15 days of the test, blood of 1 hen of each group per replication was collected by wing-vein picks to measure the blood index. At 8, 15, 22, and 29 days of the test, blood of 1 hen of each group per replication was collected by wing-vein picks to measure the hens Newcastle disease (ND) and hemagglutination inhibition (HI) antibody titer. The results showed that DBS could significantly increase the count of white blood cell (WBC) (p<0.05) and red blood cell (RBC) (p<0.01), the content of hemoglobin (Hb) (p<0.01) and packed cell volume (PCV) (p<0.01) in 10 mg/kg group; DBS (15 mg/kg) had significant increase on the count of WBC and RBC and the content of Hb (p<0.05), but had no more effect on PCV (p>0.05); ASE (15 mg/kg) could significantly increase the count of RBC and the content of Hb (p<0.05), but had no more effect on WBC and PCV (p>0.05). At the same time, DBS (10 mg/kg) could significantly decrease the dropping rate of blood cell at 30 (p<0.01), 45 and 60 min (p<0.05). The other groups had no more effect on blood physiological index than the control group (P >0.05). In addition, DBS (10 mg/kg) could improve the antibody level than control group at 8, 15, 22 and 29 days (p<0.05); DBS (5 mg/kg) could improve the antibody level at 15 and 22 days (p<0.05); but the other groups had no more effect on the antibody level (p>0.05). This indicated that DBS had the ability on improving hemopoietic function and immunity in chickens. At the same time, DBS was added into the diets of the animals at the recommended dosage of 10 mg/kg.

Key words: Astragalus membranaceus, Angelicae sinensis extract, chickens, blood cell count, immunity.