The Anticoccidial Property of the Aqueous Extract of Garlic, Allium sativum in broiler birds

Abstract

Thirty five-week-old broilers, reared from day one under control conditions, were studied for their response to treatment with aqueous garlic extract when infected experimentally with coccidiosis. The birds were grouped into five. Groups I to III are the controls ( uninfected, Infected subclinically and clinically respectively) while groups IV and V are the tests ( Infected subclinically and clinically respectively and treated with 200mglml/100mg bodyweight aqueous garlic extract). Faecal analysis showed a progressive increase in oocysts from day one for groups II and III with mortalities recorded in group III from day 6. There was sharp increase (P<0.05) in the number of oocyst in groups IV and V and a gradual decrease from days 9 and 7 respectively. Coccidial infection inhibited serum lipase activity whilr treatment with the aqueous garlic extract activated the enzyma activity (P<0.05). It is concluded that the aqueous garlic extract actually has anticoccidial property and possibly act by inducing the maturation and release of oocysts.