TITLE:
Effect of Artemisia annua L. as Substitute to Sulfonamides (Sodium Sulfadimerzine) on Coccidiosis and Growth Performance in Rabbits
AUTHORS:
Hippolyte Mekuiko Watsop, Djibrilla Nabilatou, Jules Lemoufouet, Ronald Vougat Ngom, Emile Miegoue, Mouchili Mama, Mamoudou Abdoulmoumini, Tendonkeng Fernand
KEYWORDS:
Coccidiosis, Rabbit, Artemisia annua L., Sulfonamide, Hydroethanolic Extract, Anticoccidial Activity
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Animal Sciences,
Vol.12 No.2,
February
28,
2022
ABSTRACT: Coccidiosis is a disease caused by protozoa of the genus Eimeria which seriously affects
young rabbits. Treatment based on the use of anticoccidial drugs is increasingly ineffective due to the rapid
emergence of resistant strains of coccidia and the high cost of drugs.
Consumer demand for rabbit products without chemical residues led to a growing
interest in the use of medicinal plants as an alternative treatment for
coccidiosis. The present study was carried out during the period of August to
December 2020 to assess the anticoccidial
effect of hydro-ethanolic extract of leaves of Artemisia annua L., in young rabbits. The antiparasitic efficacy of Artemisia extract was
tested on 15 young rabbits (whose age varied between 7 and 9 weeks) divided
into 5 lots of 3 animals. The average weight of these animals was 790 g. The
results of this study show that the feces samples and the weight of young
rabbits before administration of the treatment and the coprological examination
(every 7 days for 4 weeks) show a fecal excretion reduction rate (FECRT) of
55.13% in the lot treated by sulfonamide. On the other hand, in animals
received treatments extract of the leaves of Artemisia annua L., the average
FECRT is evaluated at 69.64%, 79.22%, and 96.36% for respective doses of 400,
800 and 1200 mg/kg bodyweight and proves their anticoccidial effect.
Furthermore, the variation in mean Eggs Per Gram (EPG) of coccidia and the
average weekly weight gain (AWWG) of each lot were significant in the lots
treated with hydro-ethanolic extract (P 0.05). The greatest reductions in oocystal
excretion and weight gain obtained were those of lot 5, treated at 1200 mg/kg
of hydro-ethanolic leaves extract of Artemisia annua L.