DOI: 10.21276/sjavs.2016.3.6.2 406 Scholars Journal of Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences e-ISSN 2348–1854 Sch J Agric Vet Sci 2016; 3(6):406-410 p-ISSN 2348–8883 ©Scholars Academic and Scientific Publishers (SAS Publishers) (An International Publisher for Academic and Scientific Resources) Effect of supplementation of Selenium and Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) on some haematological and immunological parameters of broiler chickens Vishwa Pratap Singh 1 , D.S. Sahu 1 , Manoj Kumar Singh 2* , Jinu Manoj 3 1 Department of Animal Husbandry 2 Department of Livestock Production Management 3 Department of Veterinary Public Health and Epidemiology College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut, India *Corresponding Author Name: Dr. Manoj Kumar Singh Email: drmanoj611@gmail.com Abstract: Indian poultry industry is fast growing and poultry meat is not subjected to cultural and religious restrictions. Utilization of medicinal plants as feed ingredient for broilers is increasing due to its growth promoting quality and capacity to reduce antimicrobial resistance among broilers. Selenium is an essential micronutrient required for normal growth and maintenance in poultry. The present experimental study was undertaken to study the effects of selenium and Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) on haematological and immunological parameters of VenCobb-400 broilers. Three hundred and sixty (360) day old chicks were selected and divided in to six groups (T0 to T5) with 3 replicates of each group, 20 chicks in each replicate. Ashwagandha and selenium were supplemented in broiler chicken feed at different levels for different group. The haematological parameters viz. haemoglobin concentration, packed cell volume, total erythrocyte count, total leucocyte count and differential leucocyte count were assessed as per standard procedures. The cell mediated immune response was estimated by skin hypersensitivity test using 1% 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene reagent in acetone and it was evaluated after 24, 48 and 72 hours post inoculation. The data obtained in the present study were analyzed statistically by using Complete Randomized Design one way Anova procedure of SPSS version 20. The broiler groups treated simultaneously with both the Ashwagandha and selenium showed significantly higher values of haematological parameters when compared to that of other groups. The cell mediated immunity of birds analysed by cutaneous basophil hypersensitivity reaction was found at higher levels in Ashwagandha and selenium treated groups. Supplementation of 2.5g Ashwagandha and 0.15 mg Selenium per Kg of feed was found to be optimum combination for better haematological and immunological attributes for broilers. This may be due to the synergistic effect of Ashwagandha and selenium on the haematology of broilers. Keywords: Ashwagandha, Broiler, Haematology, Immunity, Selenium INTRODUCTION Poultry industry is one of the fast growing sectors of Indian agriculture today, with annual growth rate of 11.44% in broiler production [1]. Poultry meat has significant role in Indian diet and India is the fourth largest producer of poultry meat in world, valued at US $ 6.6 billion. Favoured by socio-economic conditions like rising purchasing power and changing food habits of the people this sector is driven by increased domestic consumption. Poultry meat is an excellent source of high quality protein, vitamins and minerals and is not subjected to cultural and religious restrictions [2]. Utilization of medicinal plants as feed ingredient for broilers is increasing due to its growth promoting quality and reducing the antimicrobial resistance among broilers. Withania somnifera also known as Ashwagandha or Indian Ginseng is a medicinal plant belonging to the family Solanaceae. The main constituents of this plant are alkaloids and steroidal lactone, with withanine as the main alkaloid, which is considered for its biological activity. The extracts of this plant is a potent immune stimulator, antioxidant and anticarcinogenic [3, 4]. Selenium is an essential micronutrient required for normal growth and maintenance in poultry. Selenium has various biological roles like regulation of activity of the enzyme glutathione peroxidase, thyroid hormones, prostaglandins, improvement of immune and reproductive functions, protection against harmful exposure of heavy metals such as mercury and cadmium [5]. Different forms of selenium can be used for supplementation in poultry feed, either as inorganic complex such as sodium selenite or selenate or as part of organic molecules such as seleno methionine, seleno cysteine and seleno cystine. Inorganic selenium retains at lower concentrations in muscle tissue when compared