Anticoccidial and Biochemical Effects of Artemisia Brevifolia Extract in Broiler Chickens

K Hussain,A Abbas,T Rehman,Ma Raza,S Ali,Zd Sindhu,Ms Mahmood,Rz Abbas,Ma Zaman,M Imran,R Hussain,Ma Rehman,Mk Khan

doi:10.1590/1806-9061-2020-1377

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the anticoccidial potential of Artemisia brevifolia extract (ABE) and its effect on biochemical parameters against experimental coccidiosis in broiler chickens. For this purpose, a total of 150 broiler chicks were procured and divided into 5 equal groups (30 birds per group). At one week of age, the first three groups (A, B and C) were orally fed with ABE at dose rates of 100, 200 and 300mg/kg respectively for seven consecutive days. Group D served as infected/medicated and was treated with Baycox® (1ml/L of water). Group E served as the infected/non-medicated control group. At two weeks of age, all groups were infected with 50,000 sporulated oocysts of Eimeria tenella. The anticoccidial potential was evaluated based on lesion score, oocyst score, fecal score, feed conversion ratio, and mortality (%). Furthermore, the effect of ABE on hematological parameters and serum chemistry was also evaluated by following standard procedures. The anticoccidial effects were compared with the standard drug Baycox® (p>0.05). Results of the study showed the anticoccidial activity of ABE in terms of lesion diminishing, oocyst and fecal scores, better feed conversion ratios, and mortality reduction (%). The ABE also improved hematological parameters and stabilized the serum enzymes (ALT, LDH, Creatinine) of infected chicks (p>0.05).

Highlights

Avian coccidiosis is caused by protozoa of genus Eimeria, which belongs to family Eimeriidae and has multiple species with complex life cycle stages (Abbas et al, 2015, 2019; Khater et al, 2020)
The prepared Artemisia brevifolia extract was stored at 4°C in a refrigerator until further use
All the groups administered with Artemisia brevifolia extract (ABE) exhibited better feed conversion ratio (FCR) at graded doses (Figure 1)

Summary

Introduction

Avian coccidiosis is caused by protozoa of genus Eimeria, which belongs to family Eimeriidae and has multiple species with complex life cycle stages (Abbas et al, 2015, 2019; Khater et al, 2020). Eimeria species mostly affect bird intestines and cause bloody diarrhea, poor feed conversion ratios, and high mortality. Among all Eimeria species, E. tenella and E. necatrix are the most pathogenic, causing high mortality in chickens. Synthetic anticoccidial drugs are generally used to control coccidiosis, including a variety of anticoccidial drugs. Several alternative approaches including use of plants and their products have been reported for their anticoccidial potential (Abbas et al, 2011a, 2011b, 2011c, 2017b; Idris et al, 2017; Sun et al, 2019; Ayatollahi et al, 2019; Tammam et al, 2020).

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Conclusion