Research Article Open Access

Glucans and the Poultry Immune System

Jacqueline Jacob1 and Anthony Pescatore1
  • 1 University of Kentucky, United States

Abstract

With the reduced availability of antibiotics, poultry producers are looking for feed additives to stimulate the immune system of their birds. Some beta-glucans have been shown to improve gut health in poultry subjected to a bacterial challenge, to increase the flow of new immunocytes into the various lymphoid organs, to increase macrophage function, to increase antibody titers after a vaccination and to function as an anti-inflammatory immunomodulator. As a result, beta-glucans may provide a tool for producers trying to reduce or eliminate the use of antibiotics in poultry diets.

American Journal of Immunology
Volume 13 No. 1, 2017, 45-49

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3844/ajisp.2017.45.49

Submitted On: 15 November 2016 Published On: 12 April 2017

How to Cite: Jacob, J. & Pescatore, A. (2017). Glucans and the Poultry Immune System. American Journal of Immunology, 13(1), 45-49. https://doi.org/10.3844/ajisp.2017.45.49

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Keywords

  • Glucans
  • Poultry
  • Immunity