Author/Authors :
Shomali، Tahoora Tahoora نويسنده Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Basic Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran Shomali, Tahoora Tahoora , Hamedi، Somayeh نويسنده Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Karaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran Hamedi, Somayeh , Paryani، Mohammad Reza نويسنده Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Karaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran Paryani, Mohammad Reza , Mohseni، Seyed Mehdi نويسنده Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Specialized Veterinary Sciences, Science & Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran Mohseni, Seyed Mehdi , Farzaneh، Mostafa نويسنده Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Specialized Veterinary Sciences, Science & Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran Farzaneh, Mostafa
Abstract :
Regarding the remarkable role of bursa of Fabricius as a primary lymphoid organ in poultry, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of long term administration of Zataria multiflora as an herbal immunomodulatory agent on histological features of this organ in broiler chickens. To this end, fifty, one-day old chickens were randomly divided into five equal groups and fed with diets contained 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2% of Z. multiflora (experimental groups) or basal diet (control group) for 45 days. On day 46, birds were slaughtered and bursa of Fabricius was dissected immediately. 6?m-thick transverse sections were made and stained with H&E for measuring height of pelicae, follicular width as well as thickness of follicular cortex and medulla using a linear graticule. Number of follicles in plicae was also counted under light microscope. The results showed a dose dependent increase in all histomorphometric parameters due to Z. multiflora administration and the highest increase was in the thickness of follicular cortex of birds treated with 2% Z. multiflora. In conclusion, dietary inclusion of Z. multiflora during the rearing period of broilers, dose dependently affects histological structures of bursa of Fabricius in a way that may enhance its role as a lymphoid organ.
