Abstract:

In order to investigate the effects of ginkgo biloba extract (EGB) on lymphocyte proliferation and the level of cytokines in broiler chicks. Three hundred and sixty one-day-old healthy Arbor Acres female broiler chicks were divided into five groups, each with six replicates. The first group was the control group and fed a basal diet, while the other four groups were fed the same basal diet supplemented with 0.009% aureomycin or 0.15%, 0.20%, 0.25% EGB. The experiment lasted 42 days. Lymphocyte proliferation of peripheral blood and spleen and the level of cytokine IL-1, IL-2, IFN-γ, TNF-α in serum were determined. The results showed that adding EGB to diets of broilers could improved lymphocyte proliferation of peripheral blood and spleen and increase the level of cytokine IL-1, IL-2, IFN-γ, TNF-α in serum. The effect of adding EGB to diets was better than that of adding aureomycin to diets. The study suggested that adding EGB to diets could enhance the immunity of broilers.