Effect of &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Artemisia annua&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; L. as Substitute to Sulfonamides (Sodium Sulfadimerzine) on Coccidiosis and Growth Performance in Rabbits

Hippolyte Mekuiko Watsop,Ronald Vougat Ngom,Mouchili Mama,Emile Miegoue,Djibrilla Nabilatou,Tendonkeng Fernand,Mamoudou Abdoulmoumini,Jules Lemoufouet

doi:10.4236/ojas.2022.122012

Effect of &lt;i&gt;Artemisia annua&lt;/i&gt; L. as Substitute to Sulfonamides (Sodium Sulfadimerzine) on Coccidiosis and Growth Performance in Rabbits

Hippolyte Mekuiko Watsop, Ronald Vougat Ngom + Show 6 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.4236/ojas.2022.122012

Copy DOI

Abstract

Coccidiosis is a disease caused by protozoa of the genus Eimeria which seriously affects young rabbits. Treatment based on the use of anticoccidial drugs is increasingly ineffective due to the rapid emergence of resistant strains of coccidia and the high cost of drugs. Consumer demand for rabbit products without chemical residues led to a growing interest in the use of medicinal plants as an alternative treatment for coccidiosis. The present study was carried out during the period of August to December 2020 to assess the anticoccidial effect of hydro-ethanolic extract of leaves of Artemisia annua L., in young rabbits. The antiparasitic efficacy of Artemisia extract was tested on 15 young rabbits (whose age varied between 7 and 9 weeks) divided into 5 lots of 3 animals. The average weight of these animals was 790 g. The results of this study show that the feces samples and the weight of young rabbits before administration of the treatment and the coprological examination (every 7 days for 4 weeks) show a fecal excretion reduction rate (FECRT) of 55.13% in the lot treated by sulfonamide. On the other hand, in animals received treatments extract of the leaves of Artemisia annua L., the average FECRT is evaluated at 69.64%, 79.22%, and 96.36% for respective doses of 400, 800 and 1200 mg/kg bodyweight and proves their anticoccidial effect. Furthermore, the variation in mean Eggs Per Gram (EPG) of coccidia and the average weekly weight gain (AWWG) of each lot were significant in the lots treated with hydro-ethanolic extract (P 0.05). The greatest reductions in oocystal excretion and weight gain obtained were those of lot 5, treated at 1200 mg/kg of hydro-ethanolic leaves extract of Artemisia annua L.

Highlights

Livestock farming is increasingly directed towards an intensification of production systems in order to meet the socio-economic requirements linked to the population explosion and a food deficit
The results of this study show that the feces samples and the weight of young rabbits before administration of the treatment and the coprological examination show a fecal excretion reduction rate (FECRT) of 55.13% in the lot treated by sulfonamide
This study aimed in evaluating the anticoccidial activity of the hydro-ethanolic extract of the leaves of Artemisia annua L. and the weight gain of animals treated with both phytotherapy and conventional therapy

Summary

Introduction

Livestock farming is increasingly directed towards an intensification of production systems in order to meet the socio-economic requirements linked to the population explosion and a food deficit This intensive production has comparative advantages in terms of animal productivity [1]. According to Lebas and Colin [5], rabbit meat production in Cameroon is 0.6 tons/year for an average consumption of 0.41 g/inhabitant/year for an estimated population of 25 million inhabitants It remains insufficient, the need to move towards a large-scale production. According to many studies [2] [7] [8] coccidiosis is one of the main constraints that damage the development of livestock and causes enormous economic losses In rabbit breeding, it remains one of the major health problems [9]. It causes important economic losses worldwide [10] [11]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion