Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, 12211, Egypt
2
Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, 12211, Egypt.
3
Department of Poultry Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, 12211, Egypt.
4
Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University
5
CEO of MA for Pharmaceutical Industries (MAPCO).
Abstract
The efficacies of green algae(spirulina) and some essential oils (Eos)( like limonene, camphor and Eucalyptol) were used to evaluate antiviral and immunostimulant effects of EOs and Spirulina platensis as the poultry industry's advancements in genetics, nutrition, and health have met global demand for animal protein, however fast growth has resulted in declining poultry immune systems and gut health. The European’s ban on antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs), with increasing consumer demand for safer meat has prompted the search for natural alternatives like prebiotics and probiotics. Essential oils (EOs) have demonstrated potential for improving poultry immunity, gut health, and feed efficiency. Green algae (spirulina) and essential oils (EOs) are increasingly studied as AGP replacements due to their positive effects on feed intake, digestion, and immunity. 120 mixed sex broiler chickens were divided into six groups of 20: (G1) Control (untreated); (G2) NDV-challenged; (G3) Spirulina-treated and not challenged with NDV; (G4) Spirulina-treated and NDV-challenged; (G5) Essential oil (EO)-treated and not challenged with NDV; and (G6) EO-treated and NDV-challenged. Clinical signs and mortality were recorded daily, and live body weight was recorded weekly. Performance parameters were calculated, including live weight gain, feed consumption, and feed conversion rate. Blood samples were collected weekly, and at the end of the experiment, all chickens were euthanized, and organs were collected for histopathological examination. We recorded that the essential oils as a poultry feed additive have an immunostimulant effect against NDV as they enhance the humeral and cellular immunity and have no pathological effect on the internal organs.
Keywords
Main Subjects
)
View on SCiNiTO