Effect of different levels Artichoke and vitamin E on humoral immunity in Japanese quail

This experiment was conducted to the study of artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.)powder and vitamin E on the performance of the humeral immune system of Japanese quail. A total of 240 one-d-old Japanese quail chicks were randomly allotted to 4 dietary treatments with 4 replicates of 15 chicks in each, using completely randomized design in a factorial arrangement (4×2) with 4 dietary treatments and 2 genders. Dietary treatments included addition of 2 levels of artichoke powder (1.5 and 3%) along with 300 mg/kg vitamin E to basal diet. In order to evaluation of antibody titer against sheep red blood cells (SRBC), blood samples were taken at 35 and 42 days of experiment. In addition, at the end of experimental period, 4 quails (2 males and 2 females) from each replicate were chose and killed for white blood cells (WBC) and lymphoid organs weight evaluation. Results showed that supplementing basal diet with 3% artichoke powder significantly increased the amounts of IgT and IgM antibodies at the second response (42 days) of immune system against SRBC (P<0.05). In addition, total number of white blood cells was influenced by experimental treatments (P<0.05), it was greater for 3 percent artichoke powder treatment. Liver relative weight was greater for females (P<0.05). According to the results of this study, it seems that addition of 3% artichoke powder can improve humeral immune system at Japanese quail.