Effects of Artemisia annua and Pimpinella anisum on Eimeria tenella (Phylum Apicomplexa) low infection in chickens

The anticoccidial effect of Artemisia annua and Pimpinella anisum on Eimeria tenella infection (1500 oocysts/chicken) has been studied. The products were used as oil administered 7.5% in water and as powder 1.5% in food. The effects of A. annua and P. anisum on E. tenella infection were assessed by clinical signs, mortality, fecal oocyst shedding, lesional score, body weight gain and feed conversion. Chickens treated with A. annua produced significantly reduced fecal oocysts (90.76%) (p<0.009-0.002) and lesion score (0.8) when compared to the E. tenella-infected group fed standard diet. In chickens treated with P. anisum a reduction in fecal oocyst output of 58.83% was noticed and the lesional score was 1.2. The highest body weight gain at 7 days after challenge was registered in chickens treated with P. anisum and A. annua as oils. At the end of experiment (32 days post infection) chickens treated with A. annua as powder had the highest body weight gain and the best feed conversion among the experimental groups.