Efectos de dos fitobióticos anticoccidiales en las lesiones intestinales en pollos de engorde desafiados a Eimeria spp

Abstract

Avian coccidiosis, caused by protozoa of the genus Eimeria spp., represents one of the main health constraints in broiler chicken production, affecting their health and productive performance. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of two commercial saponin sources (Peptasan and FORCIX®) on macroscopic and microscopic intestinal lesions. The study was conducted using an experimental design with 304 Cobb 500 broiler chickens, distributed into four treatments: T1 (control), T2 (conventional anticoccidial program), T3 (Peptasan: saponins), and T4 (FORCIX®). Clinical parameters such as fecal condition, cloaca, litter quality, macroscopic lesions, morphometric analysis of villi and crypts, histopathological analysis, and oocyst count per gram using the McMaster technique were evaluated, with comparative statistical analysis (ANOVA). The results indicate that T1 developed a subclinical infection with oocyst shedding and progressive worsening with age. Treatments with the additive partially reduced the parasite load, with T3 showing the greatest villus length and trends toward better production indicators and lower mortality compared to T1. T2 and T4 showed less macroscopic cecal lesions compared to the control, while T4 was associated with greater crypt depth. Litter quality, fecal alteration, and pododermatitis increased over time, and the additives did not completely prevent them. It is concluded that saponins exert a modulating effect on intestinal lesions, representing a viable alternative for the sustainable management of avian coccidiosis.