Diets high in n-3 fatty acids reduce cecal lesion scores in chickens infected with Eimeria tenella.
Four experiments were run in which diets incorporating various levels of n-3 fatty acids (n-3FA) from fish (menhaden) oil or flax seed were tested for their abilities to reduce the severity of Eimeria tenella infections in young broiler chicks. The diets were fed from 1 d of age through 3 wk of age. Chickens were infected at 2 wk of age. Diets consisting of broiler starter ration supplemented with 2.5 to 10% fish oil, 10% flax seed oil, or 10% linseed oil significantly decreased cecal lesions and maintained weight gains as compared to unsupplemented diets. Light micrographs of ceca from chickens that consumed high n-3FA diets showed reduced parasite invasion and development. Short-term feeding of diets high in n-3FA to young chicks may be a practical method for reducing production losses from cecal coccidiosis.
Allen
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PC
USDA, Agricultural Research Service, Livestock and Poultry Sciences Institute, Beltsville, Maryland 20705, USA.
Danforth
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HD
Levander
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OA
D000818:Animals; D002429:Cecal Diseases / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D002432:Cecum / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology*; D002645:Chickens; D003048:Coccidiosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D004032:Diet / Q000592:standards / Q000662:veterinary*; D016786:Eimeria tenella / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005395:Fish Oils / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015994:Incidence; D011201:Poultry Diseases / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000502:physiology
D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D005395:Fish Oils