Journal of Animal Health and Production

Research Article
J. Anim. Health Prod. 3 (1): 21 -27
http://dx.doi.org/10.14737/journal.jahp/2015/3.1.21.27
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Ndaleh Wozerou Nghonjuyi1*, Christian Keambou Tiambo1, Helen Kuokuo Kimbi1, Che- Ajuyo Nuela Manka’a1, Raquel Soares Juliano2, Frederico Lisita2

1Department of Zoology and Animal Physiology, Faculty of Science, University of Buea. P.O. Box 63 Buea, South West Region, Cameroon; 2Embrapa Pantanal, Corumba, MS – Brasil, CPAP. Rua 21 de setembro 1880 N. Sra. de Fátima 79320-900 Caixa-Postal: 109 Ramal.

*Correspondence | Ndaleh Wozerou Nghonjuyi, University of Buea, South West Region, Cameroon; Email: ndaleh.wozerou@ubuea.cm

Abstract
Coccidiosis remains one of the main diseases affecting performance in poultry. This work was aimed at evaluating the efficacy of an ethanolic leaf extract of Carica papaya with regard to growth, parasitological and haematological parameters in Eimeria-infected KABIR chickens. Fresh leaves were harvested, dried in gentle heat, ground and sieved powder was used to prepare the ethanolic extract. Chickens were infected with 3200 Eimeria oocysts until they began shedding oocysts in their faeces. The ethanolic extract was administered at doses of 0.32g/chicken/day (T1), 0.80 g/ chicken/day (T2) and 1.44 g/chicken/day (T3), directly into the chickens’ mouths. Chickens of T4 received a standard anti-cocciadial drug, sulfaquinoxalina-LH, those in T5 were infected but not treated while T6 was the neutral group. Red blood cell (RBC) and white blood cell (WBC) counts as well as haemoglobin (Hb) values were determined. Among the trial groups, T3 and T1 had the highest and lowest feed conversion rates of 1.87% and 1.62% respectively. The highest average growth rate was recorded in T1 (7.09%) while the least was registered in T3 (2.74%). Carcass parameters were similar in all groups except for the hearts. In the trial groups chickens in T3 had the highest oocyst reduction rate (97.4%) while those in T1 had the lowest (94.5%), but the differences were not statistically significant. Overall, the highest oocyst reduction count was recorded in chickens of T4 (98.7%) while the lowest was recorded in chickens of T5. RBC was significantly highest (P ≤ 0.043) in T1 and lowest in T5. WBC was significantly highest (P ≤ 0.031) in T4 and lowest in T5. Hb values were similar in all groups. Ethanolic leaf extract of C. papaya could be as effective as standard anti-coccidial drugs if used before the threshold level of parasitic infection.

Keywords | In vivo, Carica papaya, Efficacy, Coccidiosis, KABIR chickens