Effect of methionine deficiency on duodenal and jejunal IgA+ B cell count and immunoglobulin level of broilers

Abstract

Dietary methionine (met) is reported to enhance antibody production and boost cell-mediated immunity in chickens. Methionine deficiency has been shown to affect the development of the lymphoid organs and the generation of antibodies in chickens. This study is designed to investigate the effects of met deficiency on IgA+ B cells and immunoglobulins (sIgA, IgA, IgG and IgM) for a 6 week period in the duodenum and jejunum of Cobb broiler chicken using immunohistochemistry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) techniques. The results of the study showed that the IgA+ B cell count reduced significantly in the met deficiency group compared to the control group (P