Comparative study of neem leaf (Azadirachta indica) suspension and toltrazuril against coccidiosis in Sonali chicken

Abstract

Background: Coccidiosis is recognized as the parasitic disease with the greatest economic impact on poultry industries worldwide. Sonali chicken are commonly affected by coccidiosis in Bangladesh. Recently, the concerns about possible drug resistance have aroused great caution in the usage of drug in the animal industry. As an alternative herbal extracts are used and Neem leaves (Azadirachta indica) have anti-coccidial property. This study was conducted to evaluate the comparative efficacy of Neem leaves suspension and toltrazuril on coccidial load, blood constituents, growth performance of Sonali chicken infected with Eimeria tenella. Methods: The study was conducted in the laboratory and experimental shed under the department of physiology and pharmacology, HSTU, Dinajpur during, 2nd January to 3rd February, 2019. Eighty (80) Sonali chicken of seven days old were randomly divided into four groups named T0, T1 T2 and T3 and each group contained 20 birds. All groups were supplied E. tenella orally except T0 group and after 3 days T2 group was treated with Neem leaves suspension (5%) for 15 days and T3 groups was treated with toltrazuril (topzuril ®) solution (1 ml/lit) for 2 days. Results: Results showed that protozoal load decreased significantly (P<0.01) in T2 & T3 groups whereas increased significantly (P<0.01) in T0 and T1 group. The total erythrocyte count and hemoglobin in different treatment groups were similar and the differences were non-significant (P>0.05) statistically except total leukocyte count (TLC). The body weight of T0, T1, T2 and T3 group at day 30 were 432.65, 469.81, 548.81, 489.22 gm respectively which is statistically significant (P<0.01) and highest body weight gain was recorded from Neem leaves suspension treated group. Conclusion: Neem leaves suspension have significant effects on protozoal load, body weight and no significant effect on haematological parameters except TLC.