This study evaluated the effects of molasses, Antox® and EN-FLORAX® on antibody (Ab) decay and response to a very virulent IBD virus (vvIBDV) and ND vaccine La Sota (NDVLS) in ISA Brown chicks. Five groups, (A, B, C, D and E) of 50 chicks each were used for the study. Groups A, B and C were supplemented with molasses, Antox® and EN-FLORAX®, respectively, orally from 1 to 49 days, and inoculated with a vvIBDV at 28 days of age. Groups D, and E were positive, and negative controls, respectively. At 35 days of age, all groups were vaccinated with NDVLS. Antibody (Ab) titers to vvIBDV, and NDV, were determined by indirect enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (I-ELISA), and hemagglutination-inhibition (HI) tests, respectively. Results revealed significantly (P < .05) decreased Ab decay rates in supplemented groups (A, B, and C) compared to controls (D and E) up to day 28. There were significantly (P < .05) higher mean IBDV and ND HI Ab titers in supplemented groups compared to D with the highest in A up to day 49. Molasses, Antox®, and EN-FLORAX® decreased rate of Ab decay, elicited stronger Ab response against vvIBDV and production of protective NDVLS HI Ab titers.
Keywords: Antibody decay; antibody response; hemagglutination-inhibition test; indirect enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.