Volume 2, Issue 1, June 2014, Pages 35–40
Open Access
Full Length Article
Evaluation of pomegranate (Punica granatum) pericarp aqueous extract on Eimeria spp. from Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica)
- Open Access funded by Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University
- Under a Creative Commons license
Abstract
Antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antiparasitic properties have been associated with the extract of pomegranate (Punica granatum) in several animals and conditions. The Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica),
originated from North Africa, Europe and Asia, is used worldwide as an
experimental animal and model for aviculture. The current study
investigated the effects of the pomegranate pericarp aqueous extract on
the shedding, viability and morphometry of three Eimeria spp.
from Japanese quails, besides the weight gain and genotoxic activity.
Although the pomegranate is recognized by multiple properties, including
anti-coccidial, in the current study the results are contrary. The
treated group shed greater amount of oocysts; the sporulation times and
viability were similar in both groups; despite some morphometric
differences, these were not expressive; weight gains were similar; and
the pomegranate had insignificant effect genotoxic. Finally, these
results suggest that the pomegranate pericarp extract did not influence
on Eimeira spp. from Japanese quails; therefore, the
pomegranate pericarp extract is not suggested in the
prevention/treatment of coccidiosis in Japanese quails, or at least not
using methods of preparation and administration applied in this study.
Keywords
- Eimeria bateri;
- Eimeria tsunodai;
- Eimeria uzura;
- Oocysts;
- Herbal medicines;
- Genotoxicity
1. Introduction
Parasitoses
represent a limiting factor in the breeding of poultry species, both in
high-production commercial rearing farms or even in rustic breeding
systems, where economic losses can be significant. Among the most
pathogenic parasites, coccidiosis caused by Eimeria spp. is
distinguished by severe enteropathy, which promotes anorexia, decreased
reproduction and posture in adults, and is responsible for high levels
of mortality in young animals [1], [2], [3], [4] and [5].
Poultry
coccidiosis is mainly controlled by the use of chemotherapeutic agents.
However, several studies have targeted the use of herbal medicines,
which reduces costs and must be effective in the prevention and/or
treatment of coccidiosis. Studies have reported anti-inflammatory,
antioxidant, antibacterial and antiparasitic (including anti-coccidial)
properties associated with the extract of pomegranate (Punica granatum) in several animals, parasites and conditions [6], [7], [8], [9], [10], [11] and [12].
Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica)
has excelled in aviculture, due to increased consumption of exotic
meats and eggs, and represents an alternative to chicken production.
Furthermore, in recent decades, it has become an important experimental
animal for scientific research, due to short life cycle and greater
resistance to many poultry diseases [13], [14], [15], [16], [17], [18] and [19].
Berto et al. [20] characterizes Eimeria bateri, Eimeria tsunodai and Eimeria uzura,
which are commonly encountered on farms breeding Japanese quails
provisioning an algorithm designed to enable reliable identification
during routine diagnosis and experimental studies.
In
this context, the present study investigated the effects of the aqueous
extract of pomegranate pericarp on the shedding, viability and
morphometry of three Eimeria spp. from Japanese quails, besides the weight gain and genotoxic activity.
