Preventive Effects of OxC-beta on a Necrotic Enteritis Challenge Model of Broiler Chickens

Introduction: Beta-carotene is one of the most abundant carotenoid compounds and may contain beta-carotene derived oxygen copolymers (OxC-beta). In vivo assays indicate OxC-beta treatment enhances the phagocytic activity of monocytes and increases intestinal immune function. Necrotic enteritis (NE) has been widely found in the commercial broiler chickens since the ban of antimicrobial growth promoters. This study evaluated the preventive effect of OxC-beta (‘OxC-betaTM Livestock’ product from Avivagen Inc., Canada) in a subclinical necrotic enteritis broiler chicken model based on various measurements, including survival (mortality) rate, clinical signs, body weight, weight gain, intestinal lesion severity, and bacterial enumeration compared to the non-medicated bird group.