<i>Artemisia annua</i> as a dietary additive: Effects on productivity and selected blood parameters in broiler chickens

Voemesse Kokou; Kin'tche Robert; Paulinus Essen; Attivi Komi; Kulo Essosimna; Voemesse Kokou; Kin'tche Robert; Paulinus Essen; Attivi Komi; Kulo Essosimna

doi:10.3934/aas.2026006

AIMS Animal Science

2026, Volume 2, Issue 2: 67-83. doi: 10.3934/aas.2026006

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Research article

Artemisia annua as a dietary additive: Effects on productivity and selected blood parameters in broiler chickens

1.
Regional Centre of Excellence in Avian Sciences (CERSA), University of Lomé, PMB 1515, Lomé, Togo
2.
Togolese Institute of Agricultural Research (ITRA-Togo), Agoè Cacavéli, PMB 1163, Lomé, Togo
3.
Agricultural High School, University of Lomé, PMB 1515, Lomé, Togo

Received: 16 January 2026 Revised: 28 March 2026 Accepted: 14 July 2026 Published: 27 July 2026

Background
One of the major challenges facing the poultry industry today is the prevalence of diseases like coccidiosis, which have resulted in substantial economic losses.
Objective
We aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with varying levels of Artemisia annua on growth performance, blood parameters, and anticoccidial activity in broiler chickens under farm conditions.
Methods
A total of 600 unisex Sasso day-old chicks were randomly allocated to five dietary treatment groups (T₀^- T_am⁺, T₁, T_1.75, T_2.5), each comprising five replicates of 24 chicks. Beginning on day 21 of rearing, daily coprological analysis was conducted to monitor the presence of coccidial oocysts. By day 28, oocyst presence was confirmed. Following this, treatments T₁, T_1.75, and T_2.5 were administered basal diets supplemented with 1.0%, 1.75%, and 2.5% Artemisia annua leaf powder (AaLP), respectively. Treatment T₀^- served as the negative control (unmedicated), while T_am⁺ was designated the positive control, receiving amprolium as a standard anticoccidial agent.
Results
Overall, no significant differences were observed in average feed intake across the treatment groups throughout the trial. However, dietary supplementation with AaLP significantly increased body weight (BW) and body weight gain (BWG) (P < 0.001) in the treated groups. The feed conversion ratio (FCR) also showed a significant improvement (P < 0.05) at the 12^th week and overall trial period. AaLP supplementation significantly reduced oocyst counts and mortality rate (P < 0.05) among the treated birds. Hematocrit values were significantly elevated (P < 0.05) at 8^th and 12^th weeks in the AaLP-treated groups, while no significant differences (P > 0.05) were noted in serum levels of Aspartate Aminotransferase (ASAT) and Alanine Aminotransferase (ALAT).
Conclusion
AaLP positively influenced gut health, as evidenced by reduced oocyst shedding and lower mortality rates. Overall, A. annua supplementation enhanced zootechnical performance without inducing adverse effects on blood parameters.
- Sasso broiler chickens,
- coccidiosis,
- Artemisia annua leaf meal,
- oocyst shedding,
- blood indices,
- growth performance
Citation: Voemesse Kokou, Kin'tche Robert, Paulinus Essen, Attivi Komi, Kulo Essosimna. Artemisia annua as a dietary additive: Effects on productivity and selected blood parameters in broiler chickens[J]. AIMS Animal Science, 2026, 2(2): 67-83. doi: 10.3934/aas.2026006

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Abstract

Background

One of the major challenges facing the poultry industry today is the prevalence of diseases like coccidiosis, which have resulted in substantial economic losses.

Objective

We aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with varying levels of Artemisia annua on growth performance, blood parameters, and anticoccidial activity in broiler chickens under farm conditions.

Methods

A total of 600 unisex Sasso day-old chicks were randomly allocated to five dietary treatment groups (T₀^- T_am⁺, T₁, T_1.75, T_2.5), each comprising five replicates of 24 chicks. Beginning on day 21 of rearing, daily coprological analysis was conducted to monitor the presence of coccidial oocysts. By day 28, oocyst presence was confirmed. Following this, treatments T₁, T_1.75, and T_2.5 were administered basal diets supplemented with 1.0%, 1.75%, and 2.5% Artemisia annua leaf powder (AaLP), respectively. Treatment T₀^- served as the negative control (unmedicated), while T_am⁺ was designated the positive control, receiving amprolium as a standard anticoccidial agent.

Results

Overall, no significant differences were observed in average feed intake across the treatment groups throughout the trial. However, dietary supplementation with AaLP significantly increased body weight (BW) and body weight gain (BWG) (P < 0.001) in the treated groups. The feed conversion ratio (FCR) also showed a significant improvement (P < 0.05) at the 12^th week and overall trial period. AaLP supplementation significantly reduced oocyst counts and mortality rate (P < 0.05) among the treated birds. Hematocrit values were significantly elevated (P < 0.05) at 8^th and 12^th weeks in the AaLP-treated groups, while no significant differences (P > 0.05) were noted in serum levels of Aspartate Aminotransferase (ASAT) and Alanine Aminotransferase (ALAT).

Conclusion

AaLP positively influenced gut health, as evidenced by reduced oocyst shedding and lower mortality rates. Overall, A. annua supplementation enhanced zootechnical performance without inducing adverse effects on blood parameters.

References

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