Methanolic extract of neem (Azadirachta indica) leaves mitigates experimentally induced coccidiosis challenge in Japanese quails

Eimeria infection is a common parasitic disease in Japanese quails. A total of 150 male Japanese quails were equally assigned to five experimental treatments as follows: control (basal diet only), negative control (Eimeria challenged), amprolium treated, 130 mg/l methanolic extracts of neem leaves (NMLE 130) and 190 mg/l methanolic extracts of neem leaves (NMLE 190). All the E. tenella-infected quails were orally dosed with sporulated oocysts (n = 5.5 × 104). The results showed that compared to the negative control, supplementation of NMLE increased feed consumption, body weight and feed conversion ratio in Eimeria-infected quails. Mortality percentage and lesion score were significantly (P <.01) decreased in quails supplemented with NMLE. Moreover, oocysts per gram and histology of cecum in infected birds were restored in NMLE. The histological findings of NMLE-supplemented quails showed mild sloughed epithelium of cecal villi. In conclusion, NMLE is recommended as a naturally effective alternative to an anticoccidial drug to mitigate Eimeria infection in Japanese quails.