EFFECT OF BLACK SEED OIL ON RABBITS INFECTED WITH SOME INTESTINAL EIMERIA SPECIES

M, ABDEL RAHMAN; A, NADA

doi:10.21608/vmjg.2006.379764

EFFECT OF BLACK SEED OIL ON RABBITS INFECTED WITH SOME INTESTINAL EIMERIA SPECIES

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

ABDEL RAHMAN M ¹
NADA A ²

¹ Parasitology Dept., Animal Health Research Institute, Dokki

² Immunity Dept., Animal Health Research Institute, Dokki

10.21608/vmjg.2006.379764

Abstract

Black seed (Nigella stiva) is a herb used on large scale in veterinary practice for many purposes. The protective effect of black seed oil was studied on rabbits experimentally infected with some field strains of intestinal Eimeria species. For this purpose, 30 New-zealand rabbits, 28 days old were divided into 6 groups. Group (1) was used as prophylactic, given N.stiva oil at a dose of 2.5ml/kg body weight orally for 3 weeks daily, then challenged with 6x10⁴ Eimeria oocysts. Group (2) was treated with sulphadimidine 33 1/3 % after being infected. Group (3) was treated as group (2), in addition to N.stiva oil for 3 weeks. Group (4) was as infected control one, while Group (5) was given N.stiva oil only. Group (6) was non infected and non treated. The results revealed a significant decrease of Eimeria Oocysts in faeces of both prophylactic and treated groups. However, there were increase in path cystic activities of neutrophils expressed in phagocytic precent and phagocytic index. Furthermore, N.stiva oil improved body weight gain and increased serum total protein, albumin and albumin/ globulin ration in treated rabbits. So, it was concluded that, N.stiva seeds which is cheap local plant, can be used as immune enhancing factor and growth stimulant in ration of animal.

Main Subjects