Parasitology

Biography

Biography: Hanem F. Khater

Abstract

The efficacy of synbiotic (a combination of probiotic and prebiotic) with and without diclazuril on Eimeria acervulina on growth and associated biochemical variables was investigated in broiler chickens. One-day-old chicks were divided into 5 equal groups (Gps) of 30 chicks each. Gp 1, negative control, was not infected and not treated. Chicks of the other groups were directly inoculated intra-crop with 1x105 sporulated oocysts of E. acervulina on the 8th day of age. Gp 2, the positive control, was infected and not treated. Chicks in the remaining groups were given diets mixed with the tested drugs for 6 successive weeks. Gp 3 was fed on a diet mixed with diclazuril (1 ppm). Gp 4 was given a diet mixed with synbiotic (Clostat HC SP Dry®, containing a probiotic, Bacillus subtilis 2x 108 CFU/gm and a prebiotic, Lactose 99.8%) (1 kg/ton feed). Gp 5 was fed on a diet mixed with both diclazuril (1 ppm) and synbiotic (1 kg/ton). Our findings revealed that birds in symbiotic- treated groups, Gps 4 and 5, showed superior reduction in the mean oocyst counts and lesion scores and improved growth and biochemical variables. It was concluded that synbiotic supplementation enhanced growth and production of healthy broilers and could be used as a worthwhile and stand-alone supplement in broiler diets instead of growth promoters and anticoccidial drugs.