Evaluation the Anticoccidial Efficacy of Oregano Oil and Allicin against Eimeria tenella in Experimentally Infected Broiler Chickens

Abstract

Cecalcoccidiosis is a significant parasitic disease that affects poultry farms and is caused by Eimeria tenella. This study evaluated the anticoccidial efficacy of oregano oil and allicin against Eimeria tenella in experimentally infected broiler chickens. One hundred and twenty-one-day-old chicks were divided into six groups (20 chicks in each group): G1, non-infected non-treated (control negative group); G2, the infected non-treated (control positive group); G3was treated with amprolium; G4was treated with oregano oil, G5 was treated with allicin, andG6was treated with a mixed dose of oregano oil andallicin. All groups were challenged with 10 4 Eimeria tenella sporulated oocysts at the 5 th day old except the first group (G1). Body weight (B.W), food conversion rate (FCR), oocyst count, hematology, serum biochemical parameters, and histopathology were assessed throughout the experiment in all groups. Oregano oil and allicin significantly improved B.W., FCR, lesion score, and oocyst count. Additionally, histopathology showed that the oregano oil and allicin successfully treated the cecum thoroughly; the cecum was average in its histology with the absence of E. tenella developmental stages. In conclusion, this study proved that oregano oil and allicin have a protective and curative effect as anti-coccidial drugs of plant origin on E. tenella-infected chickens. Furthermore, the mixture of the two chemicals is a promising treatment for E. tenella infection in broiler chickens.