Addition of Thymus kotschyanus and Thymus vulgaris in the Diet of Broiler Chickens and Its Effect on Immune System and Expression of IFN-γ and IL8 Genes

Khosronejad , Kimia; Hojati , Vida; Ahani , Saman

doi:10.22034/AER.1.1.57

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Volume 1, Issue 3 (10-2025)

Journalaer 2025, 1(3): 57-64

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Addition of Thymus kotschyanus and Thymus vulgaris in the Diet of Broiler Chickens and Its Effect on Immune System and Expression of IFN-γ and IL8 Genes

Kimia Khosronejad

, Vida Hojati ^*

, Saman Ahani

Abstract: (1192 Views)

Introduction: Interferon gamma (IFNγ) and interleukin 8 (IL-8) are cytokines that are released in host cells in response to pathogens and stimulate the immune system and increase the body's resistance. Thyme plant is a medicinal plant with antioxidant, antiviral and antibacterial properties. The present research was conducted with the aim of investigating the addition of essential oil of mountain thyme (Thymus kotschyanus) and garden thyme (Thymus vulgaris) in the diet of broiler chickens and its effect on immune system and expression of IFN-γ and IL8 genes.
Materials & Methods: Present research was conducted in the form of a randomized design with 7 treatments and 4 replications and 20 pieces of Arian strain broilers in each replication. The groups include: 1- control (receiving a diet without antibiotics, probiotics and herbal medicine), 2- basic diet+150 mg/kg avilamycin, 3- basic diet+150 mg/kg Protoxin probiotic, 4- Base diet+200 mg/kg mountain thyme, 5- Base diet+400 mg/kg mountain thyme, 6- Base diet+200 mg/kg garden thyme and 7- Base diet+400 mg/kg garden thyme. To check the expression of IL-8 and IFNγ genes, first RNA samples were extracted from the liver tissue and gene expression was performed by Real time RT-PCR method. The data were analyzed using the GLM method of SAS statistical software and Duncan's test.
Results: The number of white blood cells, the response to sheep red blood cells and the amount of G and M immunoglobulins did not show any significant difference in the treatment groups. The number of heterophiles showed a significant increase in experimental treatments (p<0.05). The highest number of lymphocytes was observed in the probiotic group and the lowest in the treatment group with 400 mg/kg garden thyme essential oil. The ratio of heterophil to lymphocyte also showed a significant difference in the groups (p<0.05). The highest heterophil to lymphocyte ratio was in the treatment group with 400 mg/kg of mountain thyme essence and the lowest ratio was in the probiotic group. The expression of IFNγ and IN-8 genes in the liver tissue of broiler chickens increased after treatment with two species of thyme plant, which was not statistically significant.
Conclusion: There was no significant difference between the effects of mountain or garden thyme species and different treatment levels (200 and 400 mg/kg). Although the changes in most of the parameters were not statistically significant, the results show the positive effect of two species of mountain and garden thyme in improving the performance of the immune system of birds.

Keywords: Immune system, Interleukin 8, Interferon gamma, Broiler, Mountain thyme, Garden thyme

Full-Text [PDF 879 kb] (1406 Downloads)

Type of Study: Research | Subject: Special
Received: 2025/09/4 | Accepted: 2025/10/2 | Published: 2025/10/2

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Khosronejad K, Hojati V, Ahani S. Addition of Thymus kotschyanus and Thymus vulgaris in the Diet of Broiler Chickens and Its Effect on Immune System and Expression of IFN-γ and IL8 Genes. Journalaer 2025; 1 (3) :57-64
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