Evaluation of Humoral Immunity to Infectious Bronchitis and Newcastle Disease Vaccines and Received Artemisia herba alba Extract in layer hens

The present study aims to evaluate the effect vaccination and oral administration of aqueous extract of artemisia herba alba on the immune status. forty laying hens (Lohman Brown,1 year-old, body weight 1.8 kg) were divided into four groups (ten) individuals. First one is the control; the second group treated with vaccine against NDV and IBV; third group received  2ml/bird/day  5% extracts of artemisia herba alba; fourth group treated with 2ml/bird/day 5% extracts of artemisia herba alba and vaccinated against NDV and IBV. Antibody titers against NDV and IBV were measured after 14 and 28 days. Results present significant increase in the globulin of the fourth group as compared to the others. The level of NDV antibodies increases significantly in this group as compared with control and third groups after 14 days. The same group shows a significant increase at 28 days as compared with the control one only. On the other hand, antibody titer of  IBV increased significantly in the second and the fourth groups compared to the control group at 28 days, but no significant differences among all groups after 14 days of the experiment.In conclusion, this study indicates a limited positive effect of the herb extract on humoral immunity of layer chickens.