The effectiveness of phytobiotic additives on performance and intestinal health of broilers after challenging with Eimeria spp
Abstract Coccidiosis, caused by Eimeria spp., poses a major challenge to poultry production, leading to poor growth, feed inefficiency, and mortality in broilers. This study evaluates the efficacy of a phytogenic additive combination (PBC) in mitigating Eimeria spp. infection. The PBC formulation co...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Springer
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Discover Animals |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1007/s44338-025-00074-x |
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| author | Dimitrios Galamatis Ioanna Stylianaki Tilemachos Mantzios Vasiliki Makri Elias Papadopoulos James Caldwell David Harrington Damer Blake Vasilios Tsiouris Ilias Giannenas |
| author_facet | Dimitrios Galamatis Ioanna Stylianaki Tilemachos Mantzios Vasiliki Makri Elias Papadopoulos James Caldwell David Harrington Damer Blake Vasilios Tsiouris Ilias Giannenas |
| author_sort | Dimitrios Galamatis |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Coccidiosis, caused by Eimeria spp., poses a major challenge to poultry production, leading to poor growth, feed inefficiency, and mortality in broilers. This study evaluates the efficacy of a phytogenic additive combination (PBC) in mitigating Eimeria spp. infection. The PBC formulation comprises free and fiber-coated essential oils (oregano, cinnamon bark, and clove), inulin, beta-glucans, and ascorbic acid. A total of 288 Ross-308 chicks were assigned to four groups: uninfected control (CN), infected control (CC), infected group treated with phytobiotic complex (PBC), and infected group treated with Salinomycin (SLC). Performance metrics (body weight (BW), body weight gain (BWG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and feed conversion ratio (FCR), malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured in breast tissue, intestinal histomorphometry indicators (villus length (VL), crypt depth (CD), and VL: CD ratio) and morphometric parameters of intestinal architecture were assessed, along with immunohistochemical analysis of Claudin-3. Eimeria spp. infection significantly impaired growth and feed efficiency (p ≤ 0.05), with the CC group most affected. The PBC group demonstrated notable improvements in BWG and ADFI one week post challenge, surpassing the SLC group. MDA levels were significantly higher in the CC group compared to the other groups, indicating increased oxidative stress. Histomorphometric analysis showed enhanced VL and VL: CD ratio in the PBC group, suggesting improved intestinal morphology, and claudin-3 expression was increased in the CC group, indicating a compensatory response to epithelial barrier disruption. These results highlight PBC as a promising alternative to salinomycin, offering improved gut health and performance under Eimeria spp. challenge. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ebde5dc81b034b5e9e3f4117f7072b07 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 3004-894X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Springer |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Discover Animals |
| spelling | doaj-art-ebde5dc81b034b5e9e3f4117f7072b072025-08-20T02:31:09ZengSpringerDiscover Animals3004-894X2025-06-012111510.1007/s44338-025-00074-xThe effectiveness of phytobiotic additives on performance and intestinal health of broilers after challenging with Eimeria sppDimitrios Galamatis0Ioanna Stylianaki1Tilemachos Mantzios2Vasiliki Makri3Elias Papadopoulos4James Caldwell5David Harrington6Damer Blake7Vasilios Tsiouris8Ilias Giannenas9Department of Animal Science, University of ThessalyLaboratory of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of ThessalonikiUnit of Avian Medicine, Clinic of Farm Animals, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of ThessalonikiLaboratory of Nutrition, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of ThessalonikiLaboratory of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, School of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of ThessalonikiAdvanced Ag Products LlcAdvanced Ag Products LlcDepartment of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, The Royal Veterinary CollegeUnit of Avian Medicine, Clinic of Farm Animals, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of ThessalonikiLaboratory of Nutrition, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of ThessalonikiAbstract Coccidiosis, caused by Eimeria spp., poses a major challenge to poultry production, leading to poor growth, feed inefficiency, and mortality in broilers. This study evaluates the efficacy of a phytogenic additive combination (PBC) in mitigating Eimeria spp. infection. The PBC formulation comprises free and fiber-coated essential oils (oregano, cinnamon bark, and clove), inulin, beta-glucans, and ascorbic acid. A total of 288 Ross-308 chicks were assigned to four groups: uninfected control (CN), infected control (CC), infected group treated with phytobiotic complex (PBC), and infected group treated with Salinomycin (SLC). Performance metrics (body weight (BW), body weight gain (BWG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and feed conversion ratio (FCR), malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured in breast tissue, intestinal histomorphometry indicators (villus length (VL), crypt depth (CD), and VL: CD ratio) and morphometric parameters of intestinal architecture were assessed, along with immunohistochemical analysis of Claudin-3. Eimeria spp. infection significantly impaired growth and feed efficiency (p ≤ 0.05), with the CC group most affected. The PBC group demonstrated notable improvements in BWG and ADFI one week post challenge, surpassing the SLC group. MDA levels were significantly higher in the CC group compared to the other groups, indicating increased oxidative stress. Histomorphometric analysis showed enhanced VL and VL: CD ratio in the PBC group, suggesting improved intestinal morphology, and claudin-3 expression was increased in the CC group, indicating a compensatory response to epithelial barrier disruption. These results highlight PBC as a promising alternative to salinomycin, offering improved gut health and performance under Eimeria spp. challenge.https://doi.org/10.1007/s44338-025-00074-xPhytobioticsCoccidiosisOreganoClaudin-3ACIMDA |
| spellingShingle | Dimitrios Galamatis Ioanna Stylianaki Tilemachos Mantzios Vasiliki Makri Elias Papadopoulos James Caldwell David Harrington Damer Blake Vasilios Tsiouris Ilias Giannenas The effectiveness of phytobiotic additives on performance and intestinal health of broilers after challenging with Eimeria spp Discover Animals Phytobiotics Coccidiosis Oregano Claudin-3 ACI MDA |
| title | The effectiveness of phytobiotic additives on performance and intestinal health of broilers after challenging with Eimeria spp |
| title_full | The effectiveness of phytobiotic additives on performance and intestinal health of broilers after challenging with Eimeria spp |
| title_fullStr | The effectiveness of phytobiotic additives on performance and intestinal health of broilers after challenging with Eimeria spp |
| title_full_unstemmed | The effectiveness of phytobiotic additives on performance and intestinal health of broilers after challenging with Eimeria spp |
| title_short | The effectiveness of phytobiotic additives on performance and intestinal health of broilers after challenging with Eimeria spp |
| title_sort | effectiveness of phytobiotic additives on performance and intestinal health of broilers after challenging with eimeria spp |
| topic | Phytobiotics Coccidiosis Oregano Claudin-3 ACI MDA |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1007/s44338-025-00074-x |
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