Dietary Encapsulated Essential Oils Improve Production Performance of Coccidiosis-Vaccine-Challenged Broiler Chickens

Abstract

The present study was conducted to evaluate the encapsulated essential oils (EEO) as an alternative to anticoccidials using a coccidiosis vaccine challenged model in broiler chickens. A total of 600 one-day-old male broiler chicks were provided with no added corn/soybean-meal-based control diet or diets that contained either salinomycin (SAL) or thymol- and carvacrol-based EEO at 60 and 120 mg per kg of diet. Before challenge at 21 days, each treatment had 10 replicates except for the no-added control group, which had 20 replicates. On day 21, half of the control groups were orally challenged with a coccidiosis vaccine at 25 times higher than the recommended vaccine dose. During 22 to 28 days (i.e., one-week post coccidiosis vaccine challenge), the challenged chickens had a decrease (P < 0.05) in body weight gain and feed intake but an increase in feed conversion ratio compared with the non-challenged, naïve control chickens. However, dietary EEO significantly counteracted (P < 0.05) coccidiosis-vaccine-induced depression in body weight gain and feed intake. Inclusion of dietary EEO linearly decreased (P < 0.05) the concentrations of the volatile fatty acids. Dietary SAL and EEO affected gut morphology in chickens at 20 days post-hatch. Dietary EEO linearly (P = 0.073) increased serum catalase activity as the inclusion level increased. Collectively, our study shows that dietary EEO increased coccidiosis-vaccine-induced growth depression and altered gut physiology in broiler chickens. Our study adds to the accumulating evidence that dietary EEO is proven to be an effective alternative to anticoccidials for broiler chickens.

Role of oregano and Citrus species-based essential oil preparation for the control of coccidiosis in broiler chickens

“…At d 14, half of the control group (challenged control; INFECT) and all of the treated groups were challenged with 25× the recommended dose (5 × 10 4 oocysts per bird) of the live coccidiosis vaccine (Coccivac®-D, Intervet/Merck Animal Health, Omaha, NE, USA). We selected the 25× manufacturer’s recommended dose of the live coccidiosis vaccine in an attempt to induce mild to moderate coccidiosis without mortality [ 18 ]. In addition, the authors chose the challenge time point at d 14 posthatch so that the anticoccidial effect of the tested additives could be determined on d 20 onward by measuring various parameters such as Eimeria -specific gut lesions, oocyst output, and growth performance.…”

“…On 6 d post coccidiosis vaccine challenge (d 20 posthatch), the lesion score was measured on the duodenum of the small intestine [ 18 ]. However, it should be noted that coccidiosis vaccine used in this study contained multiple Eimeria species that can affect various segments of intestine ranging from duodenum to ceca.…”

“…Thus, it was hypothesized that a blend of O. vulgare and Citrus spp.-based essential oils may be an effective alternative to control avian coccidiosis. To test the hypothesis, we reproduced experimental avian coccidiosis with high doses of the coccidiosis vaccine (as demonstrated by [ 17 , 18 ]). As far as we know, this study was the first to test the anticoccidial activities of a blend of O. vulgare and Citrus spp.-based essential oils in coccidiosis chicken disease model.…”

Understanding the interactions betweenEimeriainfection and gut microbiota, towards the control of chicken coccidiosis: a review

“…Kim et al [39] further confirmed that the administration of capsicum and curcumin longa oleoresins affected the microbial population by increasing abundance of Lactobacillus and operational taxonomic units, while reducing the population of Selenihalanaerobacter in two chicken breeds (Ross and Cobb). Cinnamaldehyde and Oleoresins (Capsicum and Turmeric) have been reported to regulate host immunity against E. tenella through elevation of T helper cells and cytokines (FN-c and IL-6) and body weight gain in poultry [42]. A combination of curcuma and capsicum exert synergistic effects against coccidiosis by enhancing innate immunity.…”

Effects of Vaccination Against Coccidiosis on Gut Microbiota and Immunity in Broiler Fed Bacitracin and Berry Pomace

“…Avian coccidiosis is caused by several distinct of Eimeria species including, E. acervulina, E. maxima, and E. tenella, affecting different sites from the duodenum to ceca (4). Eimeria infections cause decreased nutrient absorption and egg production as well as a retarded growth rate, a suppression of humoral and cell-mediated immune responses, and a high mortality resulting thus in enormous economic losses (US $3 billion) to the poultry industry worldwide (4). Used litters or chick delivery boxes could be primary sources of Eimeria species.…”