Adjuvant effects of sugar cane extracts (SCE) in chickens.

The effects of sugar cane extracts (SCE) on immune responses in chickens were studied. Two- or 10-month-old chickens orally administered SCE (500 mg/kg/day), for 3 consecutive days before immunized with sheep red blood cells, Brucella abortus and Salmonella Enteritidis organisms, showed significantly increased and prolonged antibody responses to these antigens, compared to control chickens without SCE. Furthermore, chickens orally administered SCE also revealed enhanced delayed type hypersensitivity responses to human gamma globulin. These results indicated that SCE has immunostimulating and adjuvant effects in chickens.