THE EFFECT OF A DIET ENRICHED WITH CHITOSAN AND WHEY ON TOTAL PROTEIN AND GLOBULIN FRACTIONS IN THE BLOOD PLASMA OF BROILERS: MECHANISMS OF IMMUNOMODULATION

This study investigated the effect of dietary supplementation with 2% chitosan and 5% whey on protein metabolism indicators in the blood plasma of broiler chickens, namely the levels of total protein and globulin fractions (alpha, beta, and gamma). The study was conducted on 60 one-day-old Cobb-500 hybrid broiler chickens over a period of 42 days. The chickens were divided into three groups: Group 1 (control) received a standard basal diet, Group 2's diet was supplemented with 2% chitosan, and Group 3's diet was supplemented with 5% whey. Biochemical indicators in the blood plasma were determined on day 42 of the experiment using the ELISA method. The results showed that in both experimental groups, the levels of total protein and all globulin fractions were significantly higher (p < 0.05) compared to the control group. The group supplemented with whey showed the highest values for these indicators. In conclusion, natural nutritional supplements such as chitosan and whey effectively strengthen the protein synthesis function of the liver in broilers and activate humoral immunity, thereby proving to be effective means for enhancing their immunological resistance.