effect of dried purslane on immunity responses and cecal microflora composition of broiler chickens

the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of purslane on immune responses and cecal microflora composition of broiler chickens. one hundred forty four day old broiler chicks (ross 308) were allocated randomly in 3 groups and 4 replicates to receive diets supplemented with 0 (control), 1 and 2 % of dried purslane. at 21 and 35 days of age 1 ml of sheep red blood cell (srbc) injected to 2 broilers of each replicate and blood samples were taken 7 days after each injection. eight chicks per treatment at the age of 42 d were killed and the number of coliforms, e-coli and lactobacillus bacteria populations in ceca were enumerated on appropriate bacteriological media. there were no significant different in primary and secondary antibody titer against srbc and no different between the treatments for proportional weight of bursa, thymus and spleen. the results of experiment indicated that use of purslane significantly increased lactobacillus and decreased e-coli bacteria population. use of purslane had no effect on coliforms bacteria population. it is concluded that purslane inclusion had a positive significant effect on cecal microflora composition.