Természetes eredetű xantofillok hatása egyes szövetek színére és a humorális immunválaszra japán fürjben

Abstract

SUMMARY Adult Japanese quail layers were immunized by combination of goat red blood cell and bovine serum albumin (100 μg/animal) i.m. The control group (K) was fed on commercial layer food the other group (X) with the same food but supplemented with mixture of natural xanthophylls (1000 ppm Capsantal EBS 40 NT: extraction of Tagetes erecta; active substances: 40 g/kg yellow xanthophyll: 0.8% ß-carotene, 1.5% cryptoxanthin, 82.0% trans-lutein, 4.0% trans-zeaxanthin, 11.7% other carotenoids). Blood and egg samples were collected weekly for six weeks. The samples were analyzed for retinoid and carotenoid spectrum by HPLC and for the avian immunoglobulin-Y (IgY) titres by ELISA and haemagglutination test (HAG) as well. The colours of egg yolk and skin were characterized by Yolk colour fan (YCF) and CIELab values (MicromatchsTM Sheen Ltd). The concentration of xanthophyll increased continuously in the blood of group X, and there was no change in the retinoid concentration of blood. The yolk colour intensity increased in the 2nd w. in xanthophyll fed birds and the average coloration was higher (p < 0.05) throughout the experiment. The skin CIELab values were as follows: control group L*: 65.8; a*: 4.1; b*: 26; and in the xanthophyll treated group L*: 59.3; a*:7.8; b*: 41.7, respectively. The differences were significant (p < 0.01) in the case of L and b*value. The blood IgY and HAG titres were raised in both groups and the values were higher for xanthophyll supplemented birds. These studies on the role of natural xanthophylls have demonstrated that beside the coloration of egg yolk and skin they can enhance the immune function too in Japanese quail.