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Home » Archive » 2023

TDK conference 2023

Determining the in vivo efficacy of plant-based antibiotic alternatives for salmonellosis in domestic chickens
Szabó Ábel - year 4
University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Supervisor: Dr. Kerek Ádám

Abstract:

The tightening of the use of antibacterial agents in livestock farming has resulted in a subsequent market demand for alternative active substances. Natural-based plant extracts are promising options due to their antimicrobial properties, ease of production, cost-effectiveness, and alignment with a wide range of consumer expectations.

Our study aimed to examine the effectiveness of three feed additives containing different plant-based elements in combating salmonellosis, a significant health risk for both humans and animals in poultry farming. We also investigated their impact on weight gain and feed conversion and conducted macroscopic and histopathological analyses after euthanasia.

In the research, we investigated the efficacy of the formulations containing fenugreek, wheat germ, and probiotics following induced salmonella infection during a 6-week rearing phase involving 180 Bábolna Tetra-SL laying hybrids. The animals were randomly allocated into 18 groups with a 1:1 sex ratio, and each treatment group underwent three parallel evaluations in a double-blind trial. A mixed infection with Salmonella Enteritidis and E. coli strains, isolated from clinical cases, was administered at 6x108 CFU and 2.2x108 CFU, respectively, using a biopsy probe on the third day of life.

Salmonella isolation from cloacal swab samples revealed elevated Salmonella shedding until day 9 of life in the fenugreek-treated group. The probiotics and wheat germ extract groups displayed the most substantial reduction in Salmonella shedding. While body weight gain significantly exceeded the breed standard, there were no significant differences in calculated species size among the groups. In the fenugreek-treated group, significant deviations were noted in terms of fork length and crypt depth within the pathological parameters, compared to both the positive and negative control groups.

Accounting for the tested animal's body weight, both the wheat germ and antibiotic-treated control groups exhibited significantly larger absorption surface areas than the positive control group.

In conclusion, the findings indicate that fenugreek supplementation yielded the most favourable effects, followed by wheat germ. Therefore, further exploration of their combined effects may be worthwhile in the future, alongside determining the optimal dosage through a dose-response study.



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