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Abstract

The current study aimed to assess the protective role of Morus Macroura (Mulberries), Lepidium Sativum (Garden Cress Seeds) against E. stiedae in experimentally infected rabbits. Fifty rabbits were randomly divided into five groups: G1 and G2 rabbits were supplemented with M. Macroura and L. sativum; respectively with a daily dose of 300mg/kg BW which began one week before infection and continued daily till the end of the experiment. G3 was administered diclazuril (1ppm) for only one week before infection; G4 was kept as infected- non-treated (CP) and G5 was kept as untreated- uninfected (CN). On 7th day of the experiment, all groups except G5 were orally infected with 104 sporulated oocysts of E. stiedae using a stomach tube. The following up of the clinical symptoms, weight, fecal oocysts count, hematological and biochemical parameters (liver, and kidney function) were done for each rabbit throughout the experiment, in addition the lesion score was done after PM examination and histopathology of the liver. The results revealed a significant improvement in clinical signs in botanical plant and diclazuril treated groups, with an improvement in body weight, a highly significant reduction in oocysts shedding with a significant improvement of CBC and liver and kidney enzymes compared to CP group. In conclusion, both M. Macroura and L. Sativum could equally compete with the chemical drug (Diclazuril) in their anti-coccidial effect on E. stiedae and can be used as a safe useful alternative remedy to control rabbit coccidiosis.