Effect Of Boron On The Growth, Hematology And Development Of Immune Organ In Gu-shi Chickens

In the present study, the healthy Gu-shi chickens were used to investigate with Boron by drinking water. Based upon the data of AW (Average Weight), ADG (Average Daily Gain), FC (Feed Consumption) and F/M (Feed/Meat Ratio) among the Gu-shi chickens that had a variety of ages, the function of Boron were found in the growth of Gu-shi chickens. In addition, the function of Boron in the amount and structure of hemocytes and Ca, Mg and P ions in the blood has been also revealed by the related meansurements, including RBC and WBC count, differential WBC count, blood smear and observing them by microscope and mensurating the content of Hb and serum Ca, Mg, P. Plus, we exployed some methods, such as paraffin section, HE staining and microscopic observation and micrography to detect the effects of Boron in architecture and growth of immune organs. The main results as follows:1. Adding a variety of the dosage of the element Boron in the drinking water had obvious impacts upon the survival, health, and growth among the population. Compared to those that didn't add Boron in the diet, 100 mg·L^-1 Boron played an important role in growth, in particular after 14 days. Before 21 days, the AW and ADG were less than that in the control groups, yet, in the late stage, they were equivalent to or more superior. On the other side, the mortality and F/M was much lower. However, the high dosage Boron (>200 mg·L^-1) repressed the physiological conditions and growth, even noxious sometimes, the AW and ADG remarkly reduced while the mortality rate and F/M rise.2. The Boron largely affected the hemocytes and calcium ions, magnesium ions and phosphorus ions in serum. (1). Adding 100 mg·L^-1 Boron in drinking water, the number of erythrocytes and leucocytes, as well as the content of Hb decrease;the percent of Acidophilic granulocyte, Basophilic granulocyte, and Monocyte slightly reduced but not significantly. There is an exception that the lymphocytes proligate within 7 days. The structure of erythrocytes and leucocytes, to some extent, damaged, particularly in those chicken that are less than 21 days. Furthermore, in the serum, the concentration of calcium ions, magnesium ion decreased, while phosphorus ions in the blood, firstly, obviously rised during the first stage (7～21 days), yet, declined within 28～42 days. (2) Adding the high dosage of theelement Boron (>200 mg-L-1), the number of erythrocytes and leucocytes, as well as the content of Hb significantly decreased and they are in proportion with the dosage of Boron. The percent of basophilic granulocyte significantly or remarkedly declined, but not that of the heterophilic granulocyte and acidophilic granulocyte, and the percent of monocyte decreased obviously. In addition, among the group that add 200 mg-L'1 Boron in drinking water, the percent of lymphocytes greatly increased and in 7-28 days, the concentration of phosphorus ions rised, yet, decreased in 35⁴2 days. Among those that add 400 mg-L'1 Boron, the multiplication of lymphocytes significantly inhibited and the phosphorus in blood declines, especially within 28⁴2 days. Meanwhile, the concentration of calcium ions and magnesium ions significantly or remarkedly decreased in the blood, and the structure of erythrocytes and leucocytes appeared severely damaged as the concentration of Boron increased, especially the blood cells of chicken(within 21 days).3. Boron played a significant role in the architecture and development of immune organs. (1). Adding 100 mg-kg'1 Boron in drinking water, the growth of the thymus, bursa of Fabricius, and spleen was supressed, particularly among the chickens that were less than 14 days and the immune organs slightly shrinked. The evidence that the development of immune organs 14 days later obviously improved, demonstrates that Boron probably could enhance the multiplication and differentiation of immune cells, such as T, B cells and macrophage. (2) Adding 200 nig-I/1 Boron, the growth of immune organs was significantly supressed, especially at the early stage (before 14 days), thymus and bursa of Fabricius degenerate while spleen grows not well. However, after 21 days, each immune organ recovered, indicating that this dosage promotes the growth of immune organ at the late stage. (3)Adding 400 mgL*1 Boron greatly inhibited the normal development of immune organs, even had toxicity function.The central immune organ including thymus and bursa of Fabricius, atrophy and degenerate seriously, particularly in spleen (difficult to detect the splenic nodule and periarterial lymphatic sheath) before 21 days. And yet, 21 days later, the immune organs partly restored, but still undeveloped in comparison to the control group. These results present that the Gu-shi chickens had the capability to tolerate the high dosage of Boron after 14—21 days. Therefore, adding the lOOmg-L'1 Boron in drinking water arround 14²1 days was optimal. Moreover, the existence of the particular structure similar to the skeletal muscle was noted in thymus and the distribution of such structure was widespread in the seriously degenerated thymus and during the early recovered period of thymus tissue structure.