Influence of enrofloxacin and chloramphenicol on the level of IgY in serum and egg yolk after immunostimulation of hens with Salmonella enteritidis antigens.

In the chicken, maternal antibodies are transferred into the egg and subsequently transported into the developing embryo. IgG (called IgY) is the primary immunoglobulin isotype of the egg yolk. Their level in serum depends on the correct function of immunological system in laying hens. Many factors have a direct or indirect influence on antibody level in fowl. One of them is a commonly used antibiotic, but its influence on avian immune system is still unknown. The objective of the study was to determine the effect of enrofloxacin and chloramphenicol on the level of IgY antibody in serum and egg yolk after immunostimulation of hens with living cells of Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Enteritidis and lipopolisaccharide. Forty adult egg-laying Arbor Acres and Isa 215 hens (32 and 50 weeks old) from the reproductive flocks and 1640 of their eggs were used for the investigation. No clinical symptoms of any diseases were observed in birds during the entire breeding period. Additionally the birds were checked as free from Salmonella spp. in the beginning of the experiment. The birds were divided into 6 experimental and 2 control groups (5 birds in one group). The hens in the experimental groups were immunized with S. Enteritidis antigens: living bacteria and lipopolisaccharide and treated with enrofloxacin or chloramphenicol. Antibiotics were administered in drinking water for 10 days (from 3rd to 13th day of experiment). To indicate anti-S. Enteritidis, antibodies in sera and egg yolk were used indirectly on ELISA based on lipopolisaccharide from S. Enteritidis. As conjugate these were applied anti-chicken IgY with horseradish peroxidase and ABTS with H2O2 as obtained. Additionally, to detect antibody in serum, a rapid slide test was used with Pullognost and Enterognost standard antigens made in the laboratory. The study revealed that both antibiotics tested decreased the level of specific IgY in laying hens immunized with living bacteria and lipopolisaccharide. It seems that antibiotics have a suppressive effect on the immunological system. The strongest immunosuppressive effect was exerted by chloramphenicol.