The Effect of Levamisole on Growth Performance, Humoral Immunity and Blood Biochemical Profile in Broiler Chickens

Abstract

Levamisole is an anthelmintic drug commonly used for the treatment of parasitic diseases. It triggers immunity in livestock. The research was conducted to evaluate the levamisole (LMS) effect’s on growth performances, humoral immunity and selected hemato-biochemical parameters in broilers chickens. A total of 40, thirteen days old “Lohman” broiler chicks were reared up to 33 days with routinely vaccinated. The chicks were randomly divided into four equal groups: A, B, C and D (n=10). The group A was considered as control (neither vaccinated, not treated). The other three groups were vaccinated with Newcastle disease and infectious bursal disease live vaccine on 15 days of age. Group B was only vaccinated. Group C and D were provided with levamisole hydrocloride (Hcl) at a dose rate of 3 mg / kg and 10 mg / kg body weight, respectively through drinking water from 16th day at twenty four hours interval for five successive days. Results showed that LMS treated broilers had significantly (p<0.01) higher antibody titer compared to non-treated group. Body weight and body weight gain were significantly (p<0.05) higher in LMS treated (low and high doses) groups. Broilers treated with LMS had significantly (p<0.05) improved FCR. Hematological parameters (TEC, Hb and PCV) didn’t differ statistically among the groups. Creatinine values were in normal range among the treated groups. Broilers treated with high doses (10 mg/kg) of LMS showed increase level of serum alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) levels. Serum total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides were also significantly increased in levamisole treated group (10 mg / kg) whereas HDL cholesterol was not significantly differed (p<0.05). Overall, this work explores the use of levamisole @ 3 mg/kg body weight in stimulating immune response, promoting growth performance but higher doses of LMS may be detrimental to poultry health.