Haematological Profile and Oxidative Stress Indices of Broiler Chickens Infected with Eimeria tenella and Treated with the Methanolic Extract of Vernonia amygdalina Leaf and Its Fractions

Abstract

Eimeria tenella infection in broiler chickens is associated with haemorrhagic typhlitis and anemia. The study aimed to evaluate the haematological parameters and oxidative stress profile of caecal coccidiosis in broiler chickens infected with E. tenella following the administration of the methanolic leaf extract of Vernonia amygdalina and its fractions. To evaluate the parameters, 210 broiler chickens were divided into seven groups with two replicates (n=15). The experimental groups were negative control (NC), positive control (PC), standard amprolium control (SC), crude methanol extract (ME), hexane fraction (HF), butanol fraction (BF), and aqueous residue fraction (AF). All birds were infected with 10⁵ sporulated oocysts of E. tenella except those in the NC group and treated accordingly. The haematological parameters and oxidative stress markers were assessed at 7 and 14 days post-infection as evaluation criteria for the evaluation of the anticoccidial efficacy of treatments. The packed cell volume (PCV) of the NC group showed a significant decrease at 7 days post-infection but markedly improved at 14 days post-infection. There was a non-significant difference in the antioxidant values of the birds in all groups (p > 0.05), as no definite trend in the value measured parameters were recorded. It was concluded that treating infected birds with V. amygdalina effectively decreased blood loss and improved oxidative defence during caecal coccidiosis.