Investigation of dietary eubiotic supplementation on the growth performance and gut health parameters in broiler chicks challenged with Eimeria spp.: a pilot study

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Coccidiosis is a major challenge for the poultry industry, often leading to reduced performance, gut damage, and increased mortality. This study explores the efficacy of a phytogenic and prebiotic additive combination (PPB), containing inulin, β-glucans, vitamin C, and layer covered essential oils from oregano and cinnamon, as a dietary supplement in broiler chicks experimentally infected with Eimeria spp. A total of 288 broiler chicks (Ross®308) were randomly allocated into four treatment groups (six replicates/group): NEG: the negative control (basal diet), INF: challenged by Eimeria spp. at 14 days of age (basal diet), PPB: challenged by Eimeria spp., (basal diet, PPB supplementation) and SAL: challenged by Eimeria spp. (basal diet, salinomycin supplementation). Broiler performance, oocyst shedding, lesion score, histomorphometry, claudin-3 expression, and lymphocytic infiltration in the intestine were assessed. The challenge affected body-weight (BW), average daily weight gain (ADWG), and feed conversion ratio (FCR), with the INF group exhibiting significantly poorer performance compared to the NEG and supplemented groups (P ≤ 0.05). Oocyst per gram (OPG) counts were significantly higher (P ≤ 0.05) in the INF group than in the PPB and SAL groups at all timepoints, while anticoccidial index (ACI) and total macroscopic lesion scores (TMLS) confirmed the protective effect of both interventions. Histopathological examination revealed that infection induced marked epithelial damage across intestinal segments. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated elevated claudin-3 expression in the duodenum and ileum of INF birds (P ≤ 0.05). In conclusion, the dietary supplementation with PPB provided protective effects against Eimeria infection in broiler chickens, comparable to salinomycin.RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS Dietary supplementation with phytogenic and prebiotic blend (PPB) effectively mitigated Eimeria spp. infection in broilers.PPB and salinomycin reduced oocyst excretion.Oocyst excretion was highest in the infected group.PPB was as effective as salinomycin.

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