Effects of chestnut wood extract and flubendazole on small intestinal morphometry and mucin layer and peripheral blood leukocytes in the pheasant (Phasianus colchicus)

Anotace: The study examined leukocytes and subpopulation of lymphocytes in peripheral blood, lymphoproliferative activity, morphology of intestine including mucus barrier in pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) after treatment with flubendazole (Flimabend®) and natural extract from sweet chestnut wood (Farmatan®). A total of 24 six-month-old female pheasants were divided into 4 groups (n = 6). The FL group received flubendazole per os 100 mg/g suspension in 1.43 mg of active substance/kg body weight during 7 days of experiment. The CW group received chestnut wood extract per os at a 0.2% concentration for 6 h per day during 5 days (experimental days from 3 to 7). The FL+CW group received a combination of doses administered in the same way as for the first two groups. The control C group received administration with no active substance. The results in our trial demonstrated a mild inflammatory effect on leukocytes, lymphocytes, heterophils, eosinophils (P < 0.05), and an increase of CD8+ cells in peripheral blood after administration of flubendazole (P < 0.05). On the other hand, administration of chestnut wood extract containing tannins revealed an anti-inflammatory effect on immunocompetent cells (P < 0.05). Enhanced lymphoproliferative activity of T and B lymphocytes was observed in chestnut wood extract groups (P < 0.001). Increased total jejunal thickness of mucus (P < 0.001) and increased production of MUC-2 (P < 0.01) was found in the CW group. Body weight was not different between the trial groups. Results indicate that chestnut wood extract can be administered as a preventive immunomodulatory substance reducing inflammatory process as well as an adjuvant in treatment with anthelmintics in pheasants.