Abstract

Coccidiosis is the main problem in poultry diseases. It is caused by the parasite Eimeria tenella, which induce the immune response of leukocyte. Anticoccidial drugs are administered in the poultry feed to control coccidiosis. However, taking medication for a long time can lead to resistance. Recent studies have indicated that Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) has some benefits, including anti-inflammatory effects. The present research aimed to identify the effect of VCO at the different doses in improving the various leukocyte counts of chickens infected with E. tenella. Male chickens were divided into five groups (T0, T1, T2, T3, and T4) and treated for 28 days. T0 was neither infected with E. tenella nor get treatment, T1 was only infected with E. tenella, T2 was treated with 5 ml/kg VCO feed and had E. tenella infection, T3 was treated with 10 ml/kg VCO feed and had E. tenella infection, and T4 was treated 20ml/kg VCO feed and had E. tenella infection. Differential leukocyte was counted with a blood cell counter. The data obtained were analyzed using ANOVA and Duncan’s Multiple Range Test. The results indicated that a dose of 10 ml/kg feed and 20ml/kg feed of VCO could improve the differential leukocyte counts of chickens infected with E. tenella by maintaining the counts of basophil, eosinophil, heterophil, monocyte, and lymphocyte in the normal range. The present study concluded that VCO by a dose of more than 10 ml/kg would improve the differential leukocyte counts of chickens infected with E. tenella.