Effects of Different Eimeria Inoculation Doses on Growth Performance, Daily Feed Intake, Gut Health, Gut Microbiota, Foot Pad Dermatitis, and Eimeria Gene Expression in Broilers Raised in Floor Pens for 35 Days

Abstract

The study was conducted to investigate the effects of different Eimeria inoculation doses on the growth performance, gut ecosystem, and body composition of broilers in floor pens for 35 days. A total of 750 15-day-old broilers were allocated to five experimental groups with six replicate pens. The five experimental groups included unchallenged control (CON); Eimeria dose 1 (ED1): E. acervulina: 31,250/E. maxima: 6250/E. tenella: 6250; Eimeria dose 2 (ED2): E. acervulina: 62,500/E. maxima: 12,500/E. tenella: 12,500; Eimeria dose 3 (ED3): E. acervulina: 125,000/E. maxima: 25,000/E. tenella: 25,000; and Eimeria dose 4 (ED4): E. acervulina: 250,000/E. maxima: 50,000/E. tenella: 50,000. On D 21, BW were linearly reduced by increased Eimeria inoculation doses (p < 0.01). On D 35, the Eimeria challenge groups had significantly lower BW compared to the CON group. Increased Eimeria inoculation doses linearly decreased crude fat (CF) (p < 0.01) on D 21. Increased Eimeria inoculation doses tended to increase the relative abundance of the phylum Proteobacteria (p = 0.098) on D 21. On D 35, lean:fat was linearly reduced by increased Eimeria inoculation doses (p < 0.05). Eimeria infection negatively influenced growth performance and gut health in broilers in the acute phase, and the negative effects were prolonged to D 35 in floor pen conditions.

Graded levels of Eimeria infection modulated gut physiology and temporarily ceased the egg production of laying hens at peak production

“…The result of the current study indicates that Eimeria infection in hens at peak production negatively affects the laying hen performance (BW, BWG, FI, FCR, and HDEP). These results are in accordance with the previous studies by Choi et al (2023) , Teng et al (2020 , 2021 ), and Sharma et al (2022 a, b ). The linear reduction observed in BW and BWG in laying hens challenged with increasing doses of mixed Eimeria spp.…”

Impacts of varying methionine to cysteine supplementation ratios on growth performance, oxidative status, intestinal health, and gene expression of immune response and methionine metabolism in broilers under Eimeria spp. challenge

“…Two time points were selected for performance recording and sample collection as multiple previous research showed that the infection peaks at 6-day postinoculation ( DPI ) and the birds start to recover at 9 DPI ( Teng et al, 2020 ; Choi et al, 2021 , 2023 ; Sharma et al, 2024 ). Body weight ( BW ) and feed intake ( FI ) were measured on d 14, 20, and 23 (0, 6, and 9 DPI) for calculating body weight gain ( BWG ) and feed conversion ratio ( FCR ).…”

“…In the current production practices, only Met is supplemented to meet the SAA requirements, producing no negative effects on the performance and health of the birds under normal and healthy conditions, as Cys can be produced through the metabolism of Met ( Bianchi et al, 2000 ; Albers, 2009 ; Bauchart-Thevret et al, 2009 ). However, under the conditions of Eimeria challenge, the normal functions of the intestines ( Teng et al, 2020 ; Choi et al, 2023 ) and liver ( Akhtar et al, 2012 ; Song et al, 2020 ; Blokker et al, 2022 ) can be compromised, potentially hindering the conversion of Met to Cys. This could lead to a deficient supply of Cys, which may further exacerbate the negative effects of coccidiosis on the growth and health of the birds.…”

Aflatoxin B1 Impairs Bone Mineralization in Broiler Chickens

“…One-way ANOVA and Tukey HSD tests were performed using JMP Pro 17 (SAS Institute, Cary, NC, USA) to compare the treatment groups. Statistical significance was set at a p -value < 0.05, and a p -value between 0.05 and 0.1 indicated a tendency toward significance [ 66 ]. Linear and quadratic regressions using LSMean contrast in JMP Pro 17 were used to assess the effects of increasing AFB1 doses on each parameter.…”