September 28, 2010

Study shows potential of Aloe vera against Eimeria maxima infection in broilers

Researchers at the College of Veterinary Medicine & Research Institute of Life Science in Jinju, South Korea studied the protective effects of Aloe vera-based diets in Eimeria maxima-infected broiler chickens.

Aloes have been widely used for a broad range of pharmacological activities, including parasitic problems. Avian coccidiosis is the most costly and widespread parasitic disease in the poultry industry, and has been mainly controlled by the use of chemotherapeutic agents. Due to the emergence of drug-resistant strains, alternative control strategies are needed.

In this study, the protective effects of Aloe vera-based diets were assessed in broiler chickens following oral infection with Eimeria maxima. Chickens were fed a regular diet supplemented with ground Aloe vera throughout the duration of the experiment beginning 2 days prior to infection with 1x10(4) sporulated oocysts of E. maxima.

No significant differences were found in body weight gain or loss between the Aloe vera-supplemented and unsupplemented groups with or without E. maxima infections. Fecal oocyst shedding decreased significantly (p<0.05) in all of the treatment groups that were supplemented with Aloe vera as compared to the unsupplemented group.

Furthermore, the Aloe vera-supplemented group showed significantly fewer intestinal lesions (p<0.05) than the unsupplemented group following infection. The findings of this study suggest that Aloe vera could be used an alternative treatment for controlling avian coccidiosis.