Effect of functional oils on the immune response of broilers challenged with Eimeria spp.

Abstract

Infection with Eimeria sp. results in the activation of multiple facets of the host immune system; the use of phytogenics can modulate the inflammatory response and improve the performance of the challenged animal. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a commercial blend of cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL) and castor oil on the immune response of broilers challenged with coccidiosis. A total of 864 one-day-old male chicks (Cobb 500) were randomly distributed into six treatment groups (8 pens/treatment and 18 chicks/pen) in a three-by-two factorial design with three additives: control (non-additive), 100 ppm of monensin or 0.15% CNSL–castor oil. Challenge status was determined twice at 14 days of age. Unchallenged birds were inoculated by gavage with oocysts sporulated with Eimeria tenella, Eimeria acervulina and Eimeria maxima. Although the positive control (non-additive and challenged) and CNSL–castor oil treatment groups exhibited similar variation in weight gain (ΔBWG) compared to unchallenged birds fed without additives, the variation observed in birds fed diets containing CNSL–castor oil was associated with a higher maintenance requirement and not feed efficiency. In the second week after infection, ΔBWG of the CNSL–castor oil treatment group did not significantly change compared to the other treatment groups. At days 7 and 14 post-challenge, there was a higher excretion of oocysts in the control group, whereas the CNSL–castor oil and monensin groups did not differ. The CNSL–castor oil group exhibited increased gene expression of interferon (IFN), interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF), while the control group exhibited increased expression of cyclooxygenase (COX) and IL-1. The heterophils/lymphocyte ratio was low for the monensin treatment group. The unchallenged birds that received monensin treatment presented higher gene expression of IFN, COX and IL-1 compared to the other treatments, while the CNSL–castor oil group exhibited reduced gene expression, except for TNF. The commercial blend of cashew nut liquid and castor oil modulated the inflammatory response against Eimeria spp. In the absence of the parasite, there was no stimulation of genes involved in the inflammatory response, demonstrating that the blend is an effective tool in specifically modulating the immune system of birds afflicted with coccidiosis.

Modulation of the intestinal microbiota of broilers supplemented with monensin or functional oils in response to challenge by Eimeria spp.

“…Based on previous results [25,26] and this study the use of the blend kept the intestinal microbiota more stable, mitigating the impacts of Eimeria spp. challenge.…”

“…The commercial blend of cashew nut liquid and castor oil has been shown to modulate the inflammatory response against Eimeria spp. In the absence of parasites, there was no stimulation of genes involved in the inflammatory response, demonstrating the blend was an effective tool to specifically modulate the immune system of birds afflicted with coccidiosis [25]. Monensin and blend effectively minimized the impact of coccidiosis at different times.…”

Suplementation of Antibiotic Growth Promoters versus Supplementation of Functional Oils in Broiler Breeders: Performance and Offspring Effects

“…Antibiotic growth promoters have been shown to delay the development of the gut microbiota when compared to probiotics (Gao et al, 2017), which may negatively affect performance. However, and unlike with antibiotic supplementation, functional oils supplementation has been shown to maintain the total number of bacteria in the intestinal microbiota (Moraes et al, 2019), so one could expect improved weight gains after the first week of age might be due to a better development of the gut microbiota.…”

“…Whereas some functional oils such as cashew nut shell liquid have been shown to have antioxidant activity (Trevisan et al, 2005), others, like castor oil have been shown to be anti-inflammatory (Vieira et al, 2001) and have activity against some fungi and gram positive bacteria (Novak et al, 1961). It is probably because all of these activities that a commercial mixture of cashew nut shell liquid and castor oil has been shown to reduce inflammation in coccidiosis challenged birds (Moraes et al, 2019) and the negative effects of heat stress (Torrent et al, 2019). Also, functional oils have been shown to increase energy utilization in broiler diets (Bess et al, 2012;Murakami et al, 2014).…”

Effect of Functional Oils or Probiotics on Performance and Microbiota Profile of Newly Weaned Piglets

“…The commercial mixture containing functional oils from cashew nut liquid and castor oil has already demonstrated positive effects on performance, modulation of intestinal microbiota and immune system of broilers challenged by coccidiosis [11][12][13][14] . However, there are no published studies analyzing the effects of this product on the performance and intestinal microbiota of swine.…”