The effects of ascorbic acid on in vitro heterophil function

Area of Science:

• Poultry immunology
• Avian health
• Nutritional immunology

Background:

• Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) is recognized for its immune-modulating properties in livestock.
• It is known to mitigate stress and offer protection against diseases in chickens.
• Understanding its specific effects on cellular immunity is crucial for optimizing poultry health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of ascorbic acid on the in vitro function of heterophils in broiler chickens.
• To assess the effects on heterophil random migration, phagocytosis, and bacterial killing capacity.
• To determine if age influences the response of heterophils to ascorbic acid.

Main Methods:

• Heterophils were isolated from broiler chickens aged 5 to 16 weeks.
• In vitro assays were performed to measure random migration, phagocytosis of Staphylococcus aureus, and bacterial killing.
• Ascorbic acid treatment was applied to heterophils prior to functional assays.

Main Results:

• Ascorbic acid significantly increased the bacterial killing capacity of heterophils.
• This enhancement in bacterial killing was more pronounced in younger chickens (5 to 10.5 weeks of age).
• No significant effects of ascorbic acid were observed on phagocytosis or random migration, although a trend towards decreased random migration was noted.

Conclusions:

• Ascorbic acid supplementation can bolster the innate immune response in chickens by enhancing heterophil bacterial killing.
• The immune-enhancing effects of ascorbic acid may be more critical in younger broiler chickens.
• Further research could explore optimal ascorbic acid dosages for poultry immune support.