Reduction of oocyte shedding and cecal inflammation by 5‐aminolevulinic acid daily supplementation in laying hens infected with Eimeria tenella

Abstract

AbstractThe present study aimed to evaluate the effects of 5‐aminolevulinic acid (5‐ALA) on Eimeria tenella infection in laying hens. Oocyst shedding and histopathology were evaluated. A reduced oocyst shedding was observed 5 and 7 days post‐infection (dpi) in the 5‐ALA‐administered group, but the total number of oocysts during the first infection period was not different between control and 5‐ALA‐treated groups. After E. tenella attack infection, the period of oocyst shedding in the 5‐ALA‐administered group lasted less long than that in controls. During the attack infection period, the total number of fecal oocysts in the 5‐ALA‐treated group was significantly lower than that in the control group. However, the parasite burden score in hens receiving 5‐ALA was higher than that in controls after E. tenella attack infection. The lesion scores at 5 and 30 dpi in the control group were significantly lower than those in the 5‐ALA‐administered group. Therefore, 5‐ALA administration might be beneficial against E. tenella infection in laying hens.