Effects of alphamune G on the performance, serum and haematological parameters of Escherichia coli challenged turkey poults

A study was conducted to determine the response of Turkey poults to graded levels of Alphamune G (0.00+, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.06 and 0.00 %-) when challenged with Escherichia coli orally for 7 days. The graded levels were the treatments viz 0.00%+ (positive control), Alphamune G at 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.06% and 0.00%- (negative control; infected without Alphamune G supplementation). Each treatment was allotted 3 replicates of 6 poults. The experiment which was conducted for 56 days employed a completely randomized design. E. coli was isolated from the intestinal digesta of a colisepticaemic chicken. 108 turkey poults were used in this study. Poults were infected with E.coli for 7 days through the drinking water and given the treatment. The performance parameters of Alphamune G supplementation were significantly affected. The cumulative weight, Feed intake and weight gain were highest for turkey poults fed 0.06% Alphamune G supplementation. These values were also directly proportional to the supplementation levels of Alphamune G. The birds given the negative treatment (0.00 %-) had relatively poor performance compared to the other treatments. The specific enzymes studied were significantly affected (p 0.05) influenced by the treatments. Haematological indices such as WBC and specific differential counts (lymphocytes and neutrophils) were affected significantly (P<0.05) by supplemental levels of Alphamune G The Inclusion of Alphamune G at 0.06% in the diets improved performance of turkey poults when challenged with Escherichia coli.