Effects of probiotic and Bidens pilosa on the performance and gut health of chicken during induced Eimeria tenella infection

Aim In this study, we have examined the individual and combined protective mechanism of probiotic and Bidens pilosa on the performance and gut health of chickens during Eimeria tenella infection over a 29‐day experimental trial. Methods and Results A total of one hundred and fifty 1‐day‐old chickens were equally distributed into five treatment groups with three biological replicates: two groups were allocated as control groups (control group untreated unchallenged, CG and control positive untreated challenged, CPG) and three groups were fed diets with probiotic (PG), B. pilosa (BPG) and probiotic + B. pilosa (PG + BPG) and challenged with E. tenella. Birds of all groups were assessed for pre and post‐infection body weights, oocysts shedding, caecal lesion scores and mRNA expression levels of apoptosis related proteins (Bcl‐2, Bax and caspase‐3), antioxidant enzymes (CAT and SOD 1), pro‐inflammatory cytokines (IL‐6 and IL‐8) and tight junction proteins (CLDN 1 and ZO 1). Our results revealed that during infection (day 21–29), E. tenella challenged chickens significantly decreased the body weight compared with uninfected control chickens; however, there was no significant effect on body weight of chickens fed with probiotic, B. pilosa and probiotic + B. pilosa was observed. Eimeria tenella challenged untreated birds increased (P