Coccidiosis is caused by protozoan parasites called coccidia that belong to the Eimeria genus. The disease occurs when birds ingest infected feed, water, litter, or soil. these infections influence growth, feed efficiency, mortality, and susceptibility to other diseases. Consequently, the economic impact of coccidiosis is greater than any other disease affecting poultry production, with a global estimated cost of 15 billion USD annually.
vaccines and ionophores work well against coccidiosis. But in recent years, to comply with consumer demands for antibiotic-free poultry products, use of the polyether ionophore antibiotics has ceased. In the absence of ionophore-based prevention programs, the industry has relied upon older, chemically synthesized anticoccidials aka “chemicals”.
Saponins – plant-derived compounds are a word against several diseases. Recently
K.W. Bafundo from New Jersey and his team studied the effects of saponins derived from Quillaja and Yucca plants against coccidiosis in comparison with 3 chemical anticoccidial programs that are often used in American production. The findings are published in the International Journal of Poultry Science.
They concluded that quillaja and yucca saponin combination (QY) improved coccidial lesion scores and mortality of 3 chemical programs and a coccidiosis vaccine. This reduction in coccidial exposure contributed to improved growth responses compared to all non-QY treatments. This research work has been published in the International Journal of Poultry Science.
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