The Effect of Supplementation with Weizmannia coagulans Strain SANK70258 to Coccidia-Infected Broilers Is Similar to That of a Coccidiostat Administration

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Coccidiosis is caused by protozoan of the genus Eimeria, and to control coccidiosis in livestock is crucial for sustainable production. Eimeria-infected animals present symptoms such as anorexia, diarrhea, and even death in severe cases. Although the first choice for coccidiosis control is antimicrobial (AM) administration, the emergence of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria and coccidia has become a serious problem and hence AM administration has already been restricted in many countries. Given the above, for coccidiosis control, the development/discovery of compounds in lieu of antimicrobials has been gathering increased attention. Here, we focused on probiotics and examined whether probiotic Weizmannia coagulans strain SANK70258 (WC) could be a good alternative to AM to treat Eimeria-infected broilers. It was found that WC (1) reduced the numbers of intestinal oocysts; (2) improved intestinal coccidial pathology parameters; and (3) helped increase the body weights of broilers. Furthermore, while intestinal Escherichia coli levels, which are associated with intestinal inflammation and weight loss, increased with AM administration, they did not with WC supplementation. Our results suggest that not only is WC a good alternative to AM, but it also treats coccidiosis harmlessly, with no negative effects such as the promotion of potentially pathogenic bacterial growth such as E. coli. ABSTRACT: To determine whether it could also improve the production performance of Eimeria-infected broilers, Weizmannia coagulans strain SANK70258 (WC) supplementation was compared with coccidiostat lasalocid-A sodium (AM) administration. First, to determine the optimum WC dose, newly hatched broiler chick groups (n = 10) were untreated or consecutively given WC (0.005%, 0.01%, 0.03%, and 0.1%) and AM until slaughter (31 days of age). At day 21, all chicks were infected with coccidia. From the economical and practical viewpoints, 0.03% WC supplementation was the best dose. Second, newly hatched broiler chick groups (n = 10) were untreated or given 0.03% WC and AM. Each group was run in triplicate. At day 21, two chicks/pen with the farthest body weights as per the group’s mean body weight were spared, and the remaining inoculated with coccidia. At days 42 and 49, the WC and AM groups had significantly greater body weights and daily weight gains. Intestinal lesion scores were lower in 29-day-old AM and WC. Oocyst numbers were lower in 29- and 49-day-old AM and WC, but only 29- and 49-day-old AM had higher Escherichia coli levels. To conclude, although WC and AM induced similar growth performance in coccidium-infected chicks, unlike AM, the E. coli levels did not increase with WC.