The objective of this research is to study the impact of intermittent administration of an Echinacea-based preparation (EBP) on production and immuno-modulation against a challenge at 28 d. with Eimeria spp. & Clostridium Perfringens

1. The objective of this research is to study the impact
of intermittent administration of an Echinacea-based
preparation (EBP) on production and immuno-
modulation against a challenge at 28 d. with
Eimeria spp. & Clostridium Perfringens
Trts EBP1 Challenge2
1 + -
2 + +
3 - +
 The EBP treatment was able to improve weight gain during incubation period of the bivalent challenge
 Trend in reducing the multiplication of oocysts and its related Lesion Scores
 Trend in increasing the plasma nitrite, while reducing IL-8 in IELs.
1 Intermittent application of EBP at assigned days, 1-3, 8-10, 15-17, & 22-24 d. of bird’s age;
4.6 ml EBP/Liter DW administered ad libitum; The dose was on the basis of alkamide concentration
2Eimeria acervulina (7.5 x 104), Eimeria tenella (7.5 x 104), Eimeria maxima (7.5 x 104), & Eimeria
necatrix (1.5 x 104), & a viable count of C. perfringens equivalent to 106/ml/bird at 28 d. of age.
A total of 60 day-old
Cobb birds were divided
into 3 Trts with 20 birds /Trt
Materials & MethodsObjective
Results and Figures
Trts Wt gain between 28-34d. of age (g)
1 527.5
2 460.6
3 415.0
1. Weight gain between 28 & 34d. of age 2. Lesion score/Oocyst count per g. intestinal organ at 34 d. of age (6 d. PI)
3. Nitrite level in sera of Exp. birds at 28 & 34 d. of age 4. Interleukin 8 levels in IELs of birds at 34 d. of age (6 d. PI)
Trts
Lesion Score1,2/Mean oocyst count3 per g. of intestinal organ x 104
Duodenum Jejunum Ileum Cecum
1 1.0a/0.00 0.6a/0.00 0.1a/0.00 0.0a/0.00
2 1.0a/3.40 1.4b/60.1 0.8b/0.50 0.6b/5.10
3 1.0a/6.60 1.9b/67.6 1.1b/11.3 0.9b/8.60
1 Lesion score between 0 to 3
2 a,b means in a column followed by different alphabet superscript are significantly different (p<0.05)
3 No statistical difference among the 3 Trts (p>0.05)
Trts
Mean Nitrite level1,2 (µM) at age (d.)
28 34 Difference
1 6.3a,1 0.6a,1 5.7
2 6.6a,1 1.6a,2 5.0
3 3.7a,1 2.0a,1 1.7
1 Means in a column followed by same superscript are insignificantly different
2 Means in a row followed by different Arabic numerical superscripts, are
significantly different (p<0.05)
Trts
1,2Normalized means of IL-8 relative to means of controls in Trt 1
Duodenum Jejunum Ileum Cecum
2 (0.2)a (8.3x1011)a (3.1)a (0.17)a
3 (1.3x103)b (2.6x102)a (4.5x10)b (1.1x103)a
1 Normalized amount of IL-8 = 2–ΔΔCt , where ΔΔCt = (Ct of target (IL-8) – Ct of GAPDH)Treatment –
(Average Ct of target (IL-8) – Average Ct of GAPDH) Control group 1
2 a,b means in a column followed by different alphabet superscript are significantly different (p<0.05)
Conclusions/Perspectives
Production and immuno-modulation in Eimeria spp. and Clostridium perfringens-
challenged broilers by intermittent administration of
Echinacea-based preparation (EBP)
Future investigations will extend the treatment of EBP through the incubation period of the bivalent
challenge, attempting to sustain the plasma nitrite level, and to significantly reduce the oocysts
multiplication and its related lesion scores in order to reach in the future to natural alternative to synthetic
coccidiostats that could satisfy the consumer’s poultry products.