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Abstract
To evaluate the effect of 4 different levels of propolis supplementation on the hematological
and immunological parameters of laying hens, a trial was conducted with 60 White Leghorn
layer hens. The experiment was conducted by using a randomized design with 5 treatments,
4 replicates, and 3 hens in each replicate. Treatments included basal diet (control)
and basal diet plus 0.5, 1, 3, and 6 g of propolis/kg of diet, respectively. At the
end of the 12-wk treatment period, samples of blood were collected to determine hematological
and immunological values. The results showed that the addition of propolis at 3 g/kg
in the diet resulted in significant increases (P < 0.05) in the serum IgG and IgM
levels and significant decreases (P < 0.05) in the peripheral blood T-lymphocyte percentage
compared with those of the control and other treatment groups. In addition, the level
of 3 g/kg of propolis supplementation significantly increased (P < 0.05) erythrocyte
count (red blood cells) compared with the other treatments. On the other hand, hemoglobin
and hematocrit values and total leucocyte (white blood cells) and differential leucocytes
counts were not influenced by propolis supplementation. These results indicate that
the inclusion of propolis at the level of 3 g/kg of diet may have a positive effect
on humoral immunity of laying hens.