This study was undertaken to investigate the ameliorative effect of sodium selenite and nano-selenium on chicks exposed to heat stress. Ninety one day-old broiler chicks were divided into six groups each of 15 birds. Birds in group one and four were fed on basal diet and served as a control group, while birds in group two and five were fed on basal diet treated with 0.15 mg/Kg diet prepared selenium nanoparticles and birds in group three and six were fed on basal diet treated with 0.15 mg/Kg sodium selenite. On day 37 of experiment birds in 4th, 5th and 6th group were exposed to artificial heat stress at 40°C for 12 hours. Based on the results of total body weight gain and FCR lower parameters of body weight, body weight gain, feed conversion rate and higher feed intake ratio were observed in heat stressed chicks. Nano-selenium and Na selenite supplementation decreased the serum AST, ALT, urea, creatinine and MDA while the serum total protein, SOD, LZM, IgG, IgM and C3 were increased, also nano-selenium has ameliorative effect on hematological and histopathological findings. In conclusion, both nano-selenium and sodium selenite have an essential role in treatment of adverse effect of heat stress on chicks, with superiority of nano-selenium in improving anti- oxidative status and boosting immune response.

This study was performed to investigate the effect of toltrazuril and fresh crushed garlic on the treatment of broiler chicks infected with coccidiosis. A hundred one-day old unsexed Cobb broiler chicks were used in this study. Chicks are classified into 5 equal groups (n=20 birds/group), Gp (1) contained 20 healthy broilers and acted as a negative control. Birds of groups 2, 3, 4, and 5 were inoculated orally with 1x105 sporulated oocysts of Eimeria tenella (E. tenella) (field isolate) on the 14th day of age. Group 2 was experimentally infected, did not receive treatment and acted as a positive control. Group 3 was experimentally infected and treated with toltrazuril (1ml/liter drinking water) for two successive days. Group 4 was experimentally infected and treated with fresh crushed garlic (50 g/Kg ration) for 5 successive days. Group 5 was experimentally infected and treated with toltrazuril (1ml/liter drinking water) and fresh crushed garlic (25g/Kg ration) for 5 successive days. All birds were individually weighed at the beginning of the experiment, 1st and 10th days post treatment. Five birds from each group were sacrificed and two blood samples from each chick were collected for determination of erythrogram, MDA and CAT. Specimens from intestine were collected for histopathological study. The obtained results showed that the broilers infected with E. tenella had loss of appetite, depression, ruffled feathers, debility, dropped head and bloody diarrhea. Infected chicks with coccidia induced a significant decrease in the body weight, weight gain, RBCs, Hb, PCV%, platelets, and MCHC. Beside, an increase in FCR, MCV, MCH, and MDA assoiated with non-significant decrease in CAT was recorded. Infected birds treated with toltrazuril and garlic either alone or in a combination could recover birds from the clinical signs. Moreover, we recorded a significant increase in body weight, weight gain coupled with non significant increase in RBCs, Hb and PCV%, Platelet, MCHC and non-significant decrease in MCV and MCH compared with experimentally infected and non treated group (+ve control). Infected broilers with coccidiosiss induced pathological lesions in the small intestine represented as ruptured villi, and diffused haemorrhage. Treatment of the infeted birds with toltrazuril and garlic showed apparently normal mucosa, submucosa and muscularis mucosa with serosa. It could be concluded that the infected broiler chickens with E. tenella induced adverse effects in body performance, erythrogram and pathological changes. Treatment of infected chicks with toltrazuril and garlic led to disappearance of the clinical signs, improved body performane and pathological effects.