Assessment of <i>Lippia origanoides</i> Essential Oils in a <i>Salmonella typhimurium, Eimeria maxima,</i> and <i>Clostridium perfringens</i> Challenge Model to Induce Necrotic Enteritis in Broiler Chickens

• Main Authors: Makenly E. Coles, Aaron J. Forga, Roberto Señas-Cuesta, Brittany D. Graham, Callie M. Selby, Álvaro J. Uribe, Blanca C. Martínez, Jaime A. Angel-Isaza, Christine N. Vuong, Xochitl Hernandez-Velasco, Billy M. Hargis, Guillermo Tellez-Isaias
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-04-01
• Series: Animals
• Subjects: broiler chickens; essential oils; intestinal permeability; necrotic enteritis; performance
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/11/4/1111

The objective of the present research was to evaluate dietary supplementation of essential oils from <i>Lippia origanoides</i> (LEO) on necrotic enteritis (NE). Chickens were randomly assigned to three groups. Group 1: negative control; Group 2: positive control challenged with <i>Salmonella typhimurium</i> (day 1), <i>Eimeria maxima</i> (day 18), and <i>C. perfringens</i> (CP, days 22-23); Group 3: dietary supplementation LEO and challenged. On d 25 of age, serum samples were collected to evaluate fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran (FITC-d), superoxide dismutase (SOD), gamma interferon (IFN-γ), Immunoglobulin A (IgA). Group 3 showed a significant reduction of the harmful effects of induced infection/dysbiosis and a significant reduction in NE lesion scores, morbidity and mortality compared with the positive challenge control group (<i>p</i> < 0.05) compared with Group 2. Digested feed supernatant, supplemented with LEO and inoculated with CP, reduced CP burden (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Group 3 also exhibited a significant reduction in FITC-d, IFN-γ and IgA compared with Group 2. However, a significant increase SOD was observed in Group 3 compared with both control groups. Further investigation to compare the effect of LEO and the standard treatment of clostridial NE is required.