Anticoccidial activity of the aqueous extract of Anogeissus leiocarpus leaves in broiler chickens

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the anticoccidial activity of the aqueous extract of the leaves of Anogeissus leiocarpus. To do this, 100 broilers were divided into 4 batches of 25 chickens. At 8th day of age, the chickens of groups B, C and D were infected orally with 10.000 sporulated oocysts of Eimeria tenella. Then, chickens of groups C and D were treated respectively with 10g/L of A. leiocarpus and 0.2g/L of Vetacox S®. The results showed that the aqueous extract of A. leiocarpus significantly improved (p< 0.05) weight growth, weight gain of group C compared to group B. In addition, the aqueous extract of A. leiocarpus significantly reduced (p< 0.05) oocyst number and lesion score of group C compared to group B. In conclusion, the aqueous extract of A. leiocarpus could be used in the prevention and treatment of coccidiosis caused by E. tenella.