Orego-Stim®: The proven and researched alternative to infeed antibiotic growth promoters and coccidiostats

Orego-Stim® is a 100% natural, phytogenic feed additive containing oregano essential oil, extracted from a specific chemotype of Origanum vulgare ssp. hirtum, which is derived from a hybrid plant-breeding programme and grown commercially under strictly-controlled plantation conditions. The composition of the oil consists predominantly of a unique ratio and concentration of the natural phenolic compounds carvacrol and thymol, which are known to be powerful antimicrobial agents. Orego-Stim® has also been proven to contain anticoccidial properties. The phenolic compounds in Orego-Stim® disrupt the life cycle of coccidian parasites by speeding up the rate of shedding of the gut lining. Through this mode of action, intracellular coccidial sporozoites are shed before they have the opportunity to penetrate deeper into the gut wall or form new oocysts. Clinical coccidiosis is therefore prevented or controlled by creating an environment that is hostile to the completion of the life cycle of the parasite. This mode of action is similar to that of ionophores such as salinomycin and monensin, that have been used as antibiotic growth promoters as well as coccidiostats worldwide. In contrast to antibiotic growth promoters and coccidiostats, there has been no evidence of development of bacterial resistance from using Orego-Stim® simply because its inhibitory effect on bacteria is due to its phenolic mode of action, and not through the transfer of any chromosomes. The components in oregano oil are classified by the FDA as generally recognised as safe (GRAS). Orego-Stim® is not absorbed through the intestines into the bloodstream, so there are no residues in livestock products such as meat, milk and eggs. This means that no withdrawal period is necessary and Orego-Stim® can be used right up to the slaughter time. Orego-Stim® has been shown to improve palatability, feed intake, FCR and growth rates. Extensive in vitro and in vivo trials have proven that Orego-Stim® assists in alleviating problems associated with the presence of gastrointestinal pathogens such as E. coli, Salmonella spp., Clostridium perfringens, Lawsonia intracellularis and Eimeria spp.