Effects of dietary conjugated linoleic acid on the intestinal mucosal immunity of broiler chickens

The effects of dietary conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on the intestinal mucosal immunity of broiler chickens were investigated. A total of 96 1-day-old Arbor Acres male broiler chickens were assigned to two dietary treatments (0 and 1% CLA) with eight replicates/each of six chickens. The intestinal mucosal immune status of broiler chickens was evaluated at 21-day old. The jejunal mucosa SIgA level increased by 43.58% (p<.01) while its mRNA expression increased by 22.95% (p<.01). The broilers receiving the CLA diet exhibited higher gene expression of jejunal peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR gamma) (p<.01) while the mRNA expression level of transforming growth factor beta 4 (TGFb4) was not different between two dietary treatments group (p>.05). After dietary CLA supplementation, the percent of Peyer's node CD8(+) T lymphocytes increased (p<.01) and lymphocytes proliferation of Peyer's node increased (p<.05). In conclusion, the CLA diet enhanced jejunal SIgA expression, and increased lymphocyte transformation rate and the percent of CD8(+) T lymphocyte in Peyer's node of broiler chickens.