Comparison of Chemical Composition and Immune-enhancing Activity of the Four Lines of Korean Native Chickens

摘要

This study was conducted to compare the general composition and immunomodulatory activity of breast and thigh meats from four lines of Korean native chickens: Yeonsan Ogye, Hyunin Black, Hwangbong, and Hoengseong Yakdak. White Leghorn was used as a control. Fifteen male chickens (three chickens in each line) were grown under the same conditions and slaughtered at 13 weeks old. The four lines of Korean native chickens, regardless of the part, had higher contents of crude fat (p<0.05) than White Leghorn. The cholesterol contents were significantly higher in Hyunin Black and significantly lower in Hoengseong Yakdak than those of other chickens (p<0.05). The immunomodulatory effect, assessed by macrophage cell proliferation and nitric oxide production,was only observed in the breast meat of the four lines of Korean native chickens. The phagocytic activity of macrophage cells was significantly augmented by the breast meat of Hyunin Black and Hoengseong Yakdak. Furthermore, the mRNA expressions of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-4, IL-10 and IFN-y, was significantly suppressed by Korean native chickens compared with White Leghorn. These results suggested that the four lines of Korean native chickens exhibited greater immune-enhancing activity than White Leghorn.