Evaluation of herb extracts and germanium oxide as immunological adjuvants in quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

Objective. The aim of present investigation was to assess the immunostimulatory activity of herb extracts from Allium sativum, Aloe arborescens and germanium oxide. Materials and methods. Quails were immunized three times orally with bovine serum albumin (BSA) in combination with the crude plant extracts and the inorganic substance which was indicated above. BSA-specific IgA antibodies in saliva and IgY antibodies in egg yolk were tested by ELISA. Results. It was discovered that the birds treated with BSA in combination with either Allium sativum or Aloe arborescens extracts or germanium oxide had higher titers of BSA-specific IgA antibodies in the saliva at the 42 day of monitoring, while the quails administered with BSA and Allium sativum or Aloe arborescens extracts or germanium oxide demonstrated higher levels of BSA-specific IgY antibodies in the egg yolk at the end of observation. Furthermore, the birds immunised with BSA alone had significantly lower immune responses to BSA than quails immunised with BSA supplemented with the herb extracts and germanium oxide. Conclusions. These data suggest that medicinal plant extracts and germanium oxide can be applied as oral adjuvants or as immunomodulators for quails.