COMPARATIVE EFFICACY OF SYNTHETIC ANTIFUNGALS AND SELECTIVE MEDICINAL PLANTS AGAINST ASPERGILLOSIS IN BROILERS

Abstract

An experimental study was conducted on broiler birds for evaluation of efficacy on synthetic antifungals (Nystatin Sulphate, 0.1% CuSO4) and medicinal plants (Azadirachta indica, Ocimum tenuiflorum, Allium cepa, Allium sativum) against aspergillosis during July to December, 2014. This efficacy was determined on the basis of growth performance, hematological and biochemical alterations in birds. A total of 150 Cobb-500 day-old chicks were divided into seven subgroups as Control (T0), Onion (T1), Garlic (T2), Neem (T3), Tulsi (T4), 0.1% CuSO4 (T5) and Nystatin sulphate (T6) comprising 21 birds in each. Aspergillus sp. was challenged through feed and water to all subgroups except T0 at Day-16 and Day-20. Blood samples were collected three times (infection exposure, during treatment and post treatment) from three randomly selected birds of each subgroup and subsequent hematology and biochemical analysis were done. Feed intake data with live weight was recorded in every seven days interval to assess growth performances. Garlic showed better antifungal efficacy with highest live weight (1354g ± 76) and improved feed conversion (1.66) compared to control followed by Onion, Nystatin Sulphate and Neem. Tulsi also had antifungal efficacy but growth performance (Live Weight 1166g ± 82, FCR 1.90) was inconsistent. Significant variation (p ≤0.05) was observed in Hemoglobin (Hb), Total Erythrocyte Count (TEC), heterophil, lymphocyte, monocyte, Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) and Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) due to infection. Triglyceride (TG), Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL), albumin and Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) were significantly raised after treatment. Cholesterol and High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) were varied in Neem followed by control and reduction of glucose was found in Garlic and Nystatin groups. However, significant alteration was present on AST and ALT in both Garlic and Neem groups and increased albumin and LDL were frequent only on Neem. TEC was significant in Nystatin, Onion and Control and Hb was decreased in 0.1% CuSO4 group. On the other hand, lymphocyte elevation with reduced heterophil was observed both in Neem and Nystatin groups and simultaneously monocyte was decreased in Control, Onion and 0.1% CuSO4 groups. It is concluded that, Garlic possesses a good antifungal efficacy with an improved growth performance than other medicinal plants and synthetic antifungals.