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Kafkas Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi
2025 , Vol 31 , Issue 4
The Influences of Spirulina platensis as an Eco-friendly Anticoccidial Agent on Growth Performance, Blood Biochemistry, Immune Response, Gut Microbiota in Eimeria Challenged Broiler Chickens
1Department of Biology, Duba University College, Tabuk University, Duba city, Tabuk, SAUDI ARABIA
DOI :
10.9775/kvfd.2025.34339
The escalating threat of antibiotic resistance drives the search for alternatives, leading this
study to investigate Spirulina platensis extract (SPE) as a substitute in broiler chicken feed.
The research evaluated the impact of SPE on growth, antioxidant levels, blood profiles,
and gut bacteria. SPE was found to contain antimicrobial organic active compounds, such
as heptadecane and geosmin. A 420 broilers were divided into seven groups for a 35-day
study: a control group, an Eimeria-infected group, and five SPE-supplemented groups.
Of the supplemented groups, four received 0.5, 1, 2, or 3 mg/kg SPE, respectively, while
one Eimeria-infected group also received 3 mg/kg SPE. Supplementation with 3 mg/kg
SPE improved body structure, feed efficiency, weight gain, carcass quality, and gut pH.
Liver enzymes and kidney markers were reduced. SPE lowered oxidative stress while
maintaining antioxidant enzymes and improving gut microbiota and immunity. Eimeria
infection in broiler chickens led to reduced growth performance, increased oxidative
stress, and compromised immunity compared to the control group. However, the dietary
inclusion of Spirulina platensis extract (SPE) at 3 mg/kg demonstrated a significant
mitigating effect on these negative impacts in Eimeria-infected birds. Specifically,
broilers infected with Eimeria and treated with SPE exhibited notable improvements in
growth performance, reaching levels comparable to or surpassing those of non-infected
chickens receiving SPE. Furthermore, SPE supplementation in infected birds effectively
improved their antioxidant status, evidenced by reduced oxidative stress markers, and
bolstered their immune response. These findings suggest that SPE possesses properties
capable of counteracting the detrimental effects of Eimeria infection in broiler chickens,
highlighting its potential as a supportive agent in managing coccidiosis and maintaining
overall health and productivity in poultry.
Keywords :
Anticoccidial, Eimeria, Spirulina platensis, Gut microbiota, Immune response