Immunostimulatory effect of ivermectin on macrophage engulfment and delayed type hypersensitivity in broilers.

Abstract

Some studies show that i vermectinenhancesthe immune response in human and animals. An experimental model of broiler chicke ns was designed and developed using ivermectin to evaluate its immunomodulator y response at different doses.Experiment wasdone onmacrophage engulfmentpercentageandtheskin thicknessin the broilers. They were divided into six major gro ups A through F , having ten broiler s in each group. Groups B, C, D, E and F were given ivermectin at the dose rate of 0.15, 0.3, 1, 3 and 5 mg/kg body weights of birds, respectively. Whereas group A was kept as control i -e without iverme ctin.Macrophage engulfment percen tage, in terms of phagocytosis was significantly high in groups E and F.The mean skin thickness values in broiler s of Group F (Highly medicated) was significan tly (P<0.05) higher than in broiler s of all the groups. Skin sensitivity at 24 hrs.and 48hrs.was highest in the broiler s administered with 5 mg/kg body weight (the highest dose) of ivermectin. Our study indicated that immunostimulatory effect of ivermectin ca n also be achieved in broilers for the treatment ofviral/bacterial disease problemswithimmunosuppression