Significant differences were observed in heterophils to lymphocytes ratio among PE1, PE2, PO1 and PO2 with V and control groups (< 0

Significant differences were observed in heterophils to lymphocytes ratio among PE1, PE2, PO1 and PO2 with V and control groups (< 0.01). with control and virginiamycin groups (< 0.01). There was significant difference in antibody production against avian influenza (AI) and sheep reddish blood cells (< 0.01). Significant differences were observed in heterophils to lymphocytes ratio among PE1, PE2, PO1 and PO2 with V and control groups (< 0.01). Key Words: Cell mediated immunity, Feed conversion, Honey bees products, Humoral immunity Introduction Antibiotics have been added to poultry feed to improve the growth overall performance, to stabilize intestinal microflora and to prevent contamination by specific pathogenic micro-organisms. In poultry production, it is very important to improve immunity so as to prevent infectious disease. Minimizing immunosuppression and its impact is also an important strategy for success in the poultry industry. Utilization of immunostimulants is usually one solution to improve the immunity of animals and to decrease their susceptibility to infectious diseases.1 Antibiotic growth promoters for poultry diets have been T banned for use in European Union and pressure from consumer groups and major poultry buyers has threatened their removal from diets in the US. Therefore, studies on alternate products that can result in promotion of growth, improved feed utilization, SB-3CT and maintenance of gut health are taking place.2 Propolis (bee glue) is a natural resinous hive product collected by bees from plants, particularly from plants and leaf buds. Propolis contains a variety of chemical compounds such as poly-phenols (flavonoid aglycones, SB-3CT phenolic acids and their esters, phenolic aldehydes, alcohols, and ketones), terpenoids, steroids, amino acids and inorganic compounds.3,4 Many biological properties, including anti-bacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antioxidant, hepatoprotective and immuno-stimulating activities of propolis have been reported.4,10 Modern herbalists recommend propolis for human use in medicine because of its antibacterial, anti-fungal, antiviral, hepatoprotective and anti-inflammatory properties to increase the bodys natural resistance to infections and to treat gastro-duodenal ulcers. 11 In some countries the bee pollen has been recognized as food and medicine.12 Bee pollen SB-3CT contains at least 22 amino acids, 18 vitamins, 25 minerals, 59 trace elements, 11 enzymes or coenzymes, 14 fatty acids, 11 carbohydrates and approximately 25.00% protein. Bee pollen is extremely rich in carotenes, which are metabolic precursors of vitamin A. It is also high in vitamin B complex and vitamins C, D, E and lecithin. Bee pollen contains over 50.00% more protein than beef, yet its fat content is very low. Bee pollen contains digestive enzymes from your bees. Pollen may be used to improve the immune response, to reduce the effect of radiation and retards aging because of its antioxidant and flavonoid contents.13 Honey has been used since ancient occasions as part of traditional medicine. Several functions such as antibacterial, antioxidant, antitumour, anti-inflamatory, antibrowning, and antiviral have been reported.14 Royal jelly contains considerable amounts of proteins, amino acids including eight essential amino acids,15 hormone rich substance (testosterone) has been recognized in extremely small quantities in royal jelly about 12 mg g-1 fresh weight. Royal jelly also contains vitamins: A, C, D, E, minerals are in descending order: K, Ca, Na, Zn, Fe, Cu, Mn, enzymes and antibiotic components. It also has an large quantity of nucleic acid DNA and RNA.16 Royal jelly has been determined to exhibit a variety of pharmacological activities including antitumor, antimicrobial, antioxidant activity, vasodilative SB-3CT and hypotensive activities, as well as growth stimulating and infection preventing, anti-hypercholesterolemic and anti-inflammatory activities. 17 The aim of this study was to determine the effect of royal jelly, honey, bee pollen and alcoholic extracted propolis on overall performance and immune system of Japanese quails. Materials and Methods Birds and husbandry. The experiment enrolled 256 of one-day-old quail chicks. They were weighed individually and randomly allocated to eight dietary treatments so that each experimental unit had equal average excess weight and distribution of eight birds. Experimental groups consisting of: a control diet (not supplemented), ethanolic extract of propolis 1000 mg kg-1 (PE1) and 5000 mg kg-1 (PE2), pollen powder 1000 mg kg-1 (PO1) and 5000 (PO2) mg kg-1, royal jelly 100 (RJ) mg kg-1, honey 22.