Abstract
Simple SummaryHerbal medicines are playing an increasingly important role in the control of poultry diseases. The present study demonstrated that the herbal powder “Shi Ying Zi” consisting of Cnidium monnieri (L.) Cuss, Taraxacum mongolicum Hand.-Mazz., and sodium chloride could protect chickens from infection with Eimeria tenella through prophylactic or therapeutic administration. The “Shi Ying Zi” powder could improve the survival rate and relative growth rate with the anti-coccidial indexes of 165 (prophylactic effect) and 144 (therapeutic effect), which were equal to positive controls (monensin and sulfamlopyrazine). The “Shi Ying Zi” powder exhibits the potential to control E. tenella infection.Coccidiosis is one of the most economically important diseases affecting the poultry industry. Currently, anticoccidial drugs used in veterinary clinics show many deficiencies, and new control measures are urgently needed. This study presents an anticoccidial herbal powder “Shi Yin Zi”, which consists of Cnidium monnieri (L.) Cuss, Taraxacum mongolicum Hand.-Mazz., and sodium chloride. In chickens infected with Eimeria tenella, supplementation with “Shi Yin Zi” powder for 3 d prior to infection or treatment with “Shi Yin Zi” powder after infection could improve the survival rate and relative growth rate and alleviate the pathological changes in the cecum, liver, and kidney. “Shi Yin Zi” powder could recover the levels of alanine aminotransferase, creatinine, albumin, and triglycerides in serum. The hemorrhage occurrence and total number of oocysts in feces were reduced. The anti-coccidial indexes reached 165 for the prophylactic effect and 144 for the therapeutic effect. The anti-coccidial effects were equal to positive controls (monensin and sulfamlopyrazine). These results suggest that “Shi Ying Zi” powder possesses a potent anticoccidial effect and exhibits the potential to control E. tenella infection.
Highlights
Coccidiosis, which is caused by seven species of intracellular protozoan parasites of the genusEimeria, is one of the most detrimental and lethal diseases of commercial poultry flocks [1]
The symptoms in ShiYingZi protective groups were observed at 4 dpi, which were similar to the infected-untreated group, but much milder
The appearance of hemorrhage in feces was noted at 4 dpi in the infected-untreated group and many oocysts were found in the cecum, suggesting that the model was successfully established
Summary
Eimeria, is one of the most detrimental and lethal diseases of commercial poultry flocks [1]. It is a rapidly developing intestinal disease that presents with bloody diarrhea and listlessness and can cause high levels of mortality in affected flocks [2]. Eimeria oocysts are highly infectious and resilient [3]. Animals 2020, 10, 1484 typically invade intestinal epithelium cells and cause destruction of the infected cells, resulting in a reduction of feed conversion, body weight gain, and egg production, and increased morbidity and mortality [5]. Eimeria tenella is one of the most frequent and destructive pathogens of the genus
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
