Dietary methylsulfonylmethane supplementation and oxidative stress in broiler chickens

Lonicera flos and Curcuma longa L. extracts improve growth performance, antioxidant capacity and immune response in broiler chickens

Alternatives to antibiotics are urgently needed to maintain broiler growth and health. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of Lonicera flos and Curcuma longa L. extracts (LCE) as antibiotic substitutes on growth performance, antioxidant capacity and immune response in broilers. A total of 480 one-day-old female broilers (WOD168) were allocated to 3 treatments with 5 replicates of 32 birds for 35 days. The 3 treatments were: an antibiotic-free basal diet (control, CON), CON +50 mg/kg spectinomycin hydrochloride and 25 mg/kg lincomycin hydrochloride (ANT), CON +500 mg/kg LCE (LCE). During the entire experimental period, supplementation of ANT and LCE increased (p < 0.01) average daily gain (ADG) and decreased (p < 0.05) feed conversion ratio (FCR), thereby resulting in greater final body weight (BW) compared with CON. Dietary LCE supplementation increased (p < 0.05) serum (glutathione peroxidase) GSH-Px, (superoxide dismutase) SOD and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) activities, and decreased (p < 0.05) serum malonaldehyde (MDA) concentration at day 35 compared with CON. There was no significant difference in serum catalase (CAT) activity among treatments. Birds in LCE group had lower (p < 0.05) MDA concentration and higher SOD activity in liver than those in CON and ANT groups at day 35. Birds in LCE group had higher (p < 0.05) phagocytic index and serum antibody titers to Newcastle disease virus (NDV) than those in CON group. Lower (p < 0.05) concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines and higher (p < 0.05) concentrations of anti-inflammatory cytokines in serum and liver were observed in birds fed LCE diet than those fed CON diet. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of LCE improved growth performance by enhancing antioxidant capacity, strengthening immune system and alleviating inflammation, which has potential as antibiotic alternatives.

Comparison of the Effects of Yucca saponin, Yucca schidigera, and Quillaja saponaria on Growth Performance, Immunity, Antioxidant Capability, and Intestinal Flora in Broilers

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of Yucca saponin (YSa), Yucca schidigera (YS), and Quillaja Saponaria (QS) on growth performance, nitrogen metabolism, immune ability, antioxidant capability, and intestinal flora of yellow-feather broilers. This study randomly divided a total of 480 1-day yellow-feather broilers into 4 treatment groups. Factors in the 4 groups included CON group (basic diet), YSa group (basic diet mixed with 500 mg/kg YSa), YS group (basic diet mixed with 500 mg/kg YS), and QS group (basic diet mixed with 500 mg/kg QS). Throughout the 56-day study period, YSa, YS, and QS groups had higher average daily gain in broilers than the CON group (p < 0.01). The YS group had a lower feed gain ratio (F: G) in broilers than the CON group (p < 0.05). YSa, YS, and QS showed increased serum immunoglobin A (IgA), immunoglobin Y (IgY), immunoglobin M (IgM), and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) levels; enhanced acetic acid, butyric acid, and valeric acid levels of cecal content; and reduced contents of ammonia nitrogen, urea nitrogen, interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in serum in broilers (p < 0.05). The relative abundance of Lachnoclostridium in the QS group was decreased compared with that in the CON group (p < 0.05). Higher IgA and IgY sera contents were observed in the YS group compared to the YSa and QS groups (p < 0.05). In contrast with the QS group, the serum IL-6 concentration of the YS group was reduced (p < 0.05). In conclusion, YSa, YS, and QS promoted growth performance, nitrogen metabolism, immunity, antioxidant capability, and intestinal flora in broilers. Through the comparison of YSa, YS, and QS, it was found that YS is more suitable as a feed additive to ameliorate the healthy growth of broilers.

Additive Effects of Dietary Supplementation with Zeolite and Methyl-Sulfonyl-Methane on Growth Performance and Interleukin Levels of Broiler Chickens

Silicate minerals are common additives in poultry feed. To assess their effects, we added zeolite (ZEO) and methyl-sulfonyl-methane (MSM) to broiler chicken diets. A total of 960 one-day-old Ross broiler chicks were randomly divided into four dietary groups with six replicates. Each broiler was maintained until it reached 35 days of age. A completely randomized 2 × 2 experimental design was used, with two ZEO (0 and 1.0%) and two MSM (0 and 0.10%) levels. We observed an additive effect (P<0.05) on interleukin-2 (IL-2) concentrations in broiler bursa and serum when both ZEO and MSM were present. Both ZEO or MSM produced significant (P<0.05) increases in body weight, weight gain, and feed intake. Both increased IL-2 and IL-6 levels in the bursa and serum. Neither affected the serum concentrations of albumin, AST, cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, glucose, total protein, or triglycerides. In summary, these results support supplementation with ZEO and MSM in broiler diets, both separately and in combination.

Role of Dietary Methyl Sulfonyl Methane in Poultry

Oxidative stress is defined as an imbalance between pro-oxidants and anti-oxidants within biological systems, leading to tissue damage and compromising the health of afflicted animals. The incorporation of dietary anti-oxidants into chicken diets has been a common practice to improve the performance, health, and welfare of the host by protecting against oxidative stress-induced damage. Methyl sulfonyl methane (MSM), a naturally occurring organosulfur compound found in various plant sources, has demonstrated various beneficial biological properties, including anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties in both in vitro and in vivo studies. MSM has been utilized as a dietary supplement for humans for its anti-oxidant, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory properties. It has also been administered to domestic animals, including cattle, pigs, and chickens, owing to its recognized anti-oxidant effect. This review summarizes the biological and physiological functions of dietary MSM in poultry.

Effect of supplemental methyl sulfonyl methane on performance, carcass and meat quality and oxidative status in chronic cyclic heat-stressed finishing broilers

Methyl sulfonyl methane (MSM) is available as a dietary supplement for human and has been associated with multiple health benefits such as reduction of oxidative stress. Heat stress (HS) is an environmental stressor challenging poultry production and known to inflict oxidative stress. We hypothesized that dietary MSM could attenuate HS-induced detrimental effects in broilers mediated by enhancement of antioxidant defenses. Hence, seven hundred ninety-two 1-day-old male Ross 308 broilers were allocated to 3 dietary treatments composed of corn-soybean meal diets with 0 (Ctrl), 1, or 2 g/kg MSM, with 12 replicates (22 birds each) per treatment for 39 d and subjected to a chronic cyclic HS model (temperature of 34°C and 52-58% relative humidity for 6 h daily) from d 24 to 39. MSM at 1 and 2 g/kg linearly increased daily gain and decreased feed-to-gain ratio compared with Ctrl in the grower phase (d 10-21, both P < 0.05). In the finisher phase (d 21-39) none of the performance and carcass indices were affected by treatment (P > 0.05). Nonetheless, data suggest reduced mortality by feeding MSM during HS. Also, during HS the diets with graded levels of MSM resulted in reduced rectal temperatures (P < 0.05) along with linearly decreased panting frequency on d 24 (P < 0.05). MSM supplemented birds showed a trend for linearly decreased thiobarbituric acid reactive substances of breast meat upon simulated retail display (P = 0.078). In addition, MSM administration linearly decreased lipid oxidation in plasma (d 25 and 39, P < 0.05) and breast muscle at d 23 (P < 0.05), concomitantly with linearly increased glutathione levels in erythrocytes (d 23 and 39, P < 0.05; d 25, P < 0.1) and breast muscle (d 23, P < 0.05; d 39, P < 0.1). In conclusion, MSM increased growth performance of broilers during grower phase, and exhibited positive effects on heat tolerance mediated by improved antioxidant capacity in broilers resulting in lower mortality in finisher phase.

Effects of dietary methyl sulfonyl methane and selenium on laying performance, egg quality, gut health indicators, and antioxidant capacity of laying hens

Objective

This study investigated the effects of dietary methyl sulfonyl methane (MSM) and selenium (Se) on the laying performance, egg quality, gut health indicators, egg yolk Se content, and antioxidant markers in laying hens.

Methods

One hundred ninety-two 73-wk-old laying hens were randomly divided into four groups with eight replicates of six hens each. Four diets were prepared in a 2×2 factorial arrangement with or without MSM and Se. The trial lasted for 12 wk.

Results

There were no interaction effects or main effects (p>0.05) on laying performance and egg quality. However, feed intake increased in Se-fed hens (p = 0.051) and decreased in MSM-fed hens (p = 0.067) compared with that of hens in the control group. Dietary MSM increased (p<0.05) the ileal villus height and villus height:crypt ratio in hens compared with those receiving the non-supplemented control diet. Dietary MSM and Se did not affect the percentage of short-chain fatty acids in the ileal contents. Dietary Se enriched the Se content in egg yolk compared with that of the non-supplemented control diet (p<0.05). Dietary Se increased (p<0.05) glutathione peroxidase levels in the liver and serum samples compared to the control diet. The total antioxidant capacity in the liver increased (p<0.05) in laying hens that were fed MSM-supplemented diets than in hens fed the control diet. Dietary MSM significantly increased the relative superoxide dismutase levels in serum samples (p<0.05).

Conclusion

Supplementation with either MSM or Se independently improved the antioxidant capacity of laying hens. Furthermore, dietary Se produced Se-enriched eggs, but this effect was neither additive nor synergistic with dietary MSM.

Fermentation of NaHCO3-treated corn germ meal by Bacillus velezensis CL-4 promotes lignocellulose degradation and nutrient utilization

Sodium bicarbonate pretreatment and solid-state fermentation (SSF) were used to maximize the nutritional value of corn germ meal (CGM) by inoculating it with Bacillus velezensis CL-4 (isolated from chicken cecal contents and capable of degrading lignocellulose). Based on genome sequencing, B. velezensis CL-4 has a 4,063,558 bp ring chromosome and 46.27% GC content. Furthermore, genes associated with degradation of lignocellulose degradation were detected. Pretreatment of CGM (PCGM) with sodium bicarbonate (optimized to 0.06 g/mL) neutralized low pH. Fermented and pretreated CGM (FPCGM) contained more crude protein (CP), soluble protein of trichloroacetic acid (TCA-SP), and total amino acids (aa) than CGM and PCGM. Degradation rates of cellulose and hemicellulose were reduced by 21.33 and 71.35%, respectively, after 48 h fermentation. Based on electron microscopy, FPCGM destroys the surface structure and adds small debris of the CGM substrate, due to lignocellulose breakdown. Furthermore, 2-oxoadipic acid and dimethyl sulfone were the most important metabolites during pretreatment. Concentrations of adenosine, cytidine, guanosine, S-methyl-5'-thioadenosine, and adenine decreased significantly after 48 h fermentation, whereas concentrations of probiotics, enzymes, and fatty acids (including palmitic, 16-hydroxypalmitic, and linoleic acids) were significantly improved after fermentation. In conclusion, the novel pretreatment of CGM provided a proof of concept for using B. velezensis CL-4 to degrade lignocellulose components, improve nutritional characteristics of CGM, and expand CGM lignocellulosic biological feed production. KEY POINTS: • Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) can be used as an economical and green additive to pretreat corn germ meal; • Fermentation with B. velezensis degrades the cellulose and hemicellulose component of corn germ meal and improves its feed quality; • As a novel qualified presumption of safety (QPS) strain, B. velezensis should have broad potential applications in food and feed industries.

Effect of Dietary Organic and Inorganic Sulfur on the Performance of Coccidiosis Vaccine Challenged Broiler Chickens

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary sulfur from either organic (methyl sulfonyl methane, MSM) or inorganic (sodium sulfate, SS) sources on the growth performance of broiler chickens challenged against a high-dose coccidiosis vaccine. A total of 320 day-old Ross 308 broiler chicks were randomly placed into 32 pens of 10 birds each (keeping 16 pens/control group and 8 pens/treatment group until 21 days post-hatch) and reared for 28 days. The experimental diets were formulated by mixing a corn and soybean meal-based control diet with MSM or SS. At 21 days post-hatch, half (n = 8) of the control and all of the sulfur-added diet-fed (i.e., MSM and SS) groups were challenged with a 30-fold dose of a commercially available Eimeria vaccine (Livacox® T coccidiosis vaccine). Unchallenged control chicks (n = 8) were considered as the negative control group. At 21 days (before coccidiosis vaccine challenge), the production parameters and cecal short-chain fatty acids were not affected by dietary treatments. The concentrations of total antioxidant capacity in liver samples were elevated in both the MSM and SS groups compared with the control group (p = 0.001). During 21 to 28 days (i.e., one week post coccidiosis vaccine challenge), challenge tended to lower body weight and feed intake by an average of 5.3% (p = 0.262) and 2.8% (p = 0.504), respectively, but to increase the feed conversion ratio by an average of 2.7% (p = 0.087) compared with the non-challenged control groups. None of dietary sulfur groups affected the body weight gain, feed intake, or feed conversion ratio of vaccine-challenged chickens. Mild Eimeria-specific lesions were noted in duodenum (p = 0.006), jejunum (p = 0.017), and ceca (p = 0.047), but dietary sulfur treatments did not affect the Eimeria-induced gut lesion scores. At 28 days, Eimeria challenge significantly impaired (p = 0.001) the apparent ileal digestibility of crude protein and crude ash compared with the naïve control group. Dietary MSM increased the apparent ileal digestibility of crude ash by 15.5% on average compared with the coccidiosis vaccine control group. We conclude that dietary antioxidant sulfur of organic or inorganic origins at the inclusion level (i.e., 0.7 g sulfur/kg of diet) has a limited effect on the growth performance of chickens challenged with coccidiosis vaccine.

Incorporation of Dietary Methyl Sulfonyl Methane into the Egg Albumens of Laying Hens

This study evaluated the effects of graded levels of dietary methyl sulfonyl methane (MSM) on the laying performance, egg quality, antioxidant capacity, and the incorporation of MSM into the egg albumen of laying hens. A total of 240 73-week-old laying hens (Lohmann Brown Lite) were randomly allotted to 1 of 5 dietary treatments, with 8 replicates of 6 birds per replicate. The experimental diets were formulated by mixing corn and soybean meal-based diets with MSM to reach 0.0, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, and 4.0 g per kg of diet, and were fed to the birds for 12 weeks. Increasing dietary MSM led to a significant quadratic effect on the feed intake and feed conversion ratio at 4 weeks (p < 0.05). However, none of the egg qualities and egg components were altered by dietary MSM. The deposition of MSM in egg albumens increased in a linear manner (p < 0.05) in response to the increasing dietary MSM levels. The concentration of malondialdehyde in the egg yolk decreased at 12 weeks (linear and quadratic effect; p < 0.05), as the dietary MSM levels increased. Increasing dietary MSM affected the indicators of antioxidant/oxidative stress in the serum samples, such as superoxide dismutase at 12 weeks (linear and quadratic effect; p < 0.05), total antioxidant capacity at 8 and 12 weeks (linear effect; p < 0.05), and malondialdehyde at 8 weeks (linear effect; p < 0.05). Taken together, our study shows that dietary MSM has potential to be used as an antioxidant feed additive for laying hens, and can be used to produce functional eggs with health benefits for humans.

Methylsulfonylmethane ameliorates inflammation via NF-κB and ERK/JNK-MAPK signaling pathway in chicken trachea and HD11 cells during Mycoplasma gallisepticum infection

Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) is an avian pathogen that commonly causes respiratory diseases in poultry. Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is a sulfur-containing natural compound that could alleviate inflammatory injury through its excellent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. However, it is still unclear whether MSM prevents MG infection. The purpose of this study is to determine whether MSM has mitigative effects on MG-induced inflammatory injury in chicken and chicken like macrophages (HD11 cells). In this research, White Leghorn chickens and HD11 cells were used to build the MG-infection model. Besides, the protective effects of MSM against MG infection were evaluated by detecting MG colonization, histopathological changes, oxidative stress and inflammatory injury of trachea, and HD11 cells. The results revealed that MG infection induced inflammatory injury and oxidative stress in trachea and HD11 cells. However, MSM treatment significantly ameliorated oxidative stress, partially alleviated the abnormal morphological changes and reduced MG colonization under MG infection. Moreover, MSM reduced the mRNA expression of proinflammatory cytokines-related genes and decreased the number of death cells under MG infection. Importantly, the protective effects of MSM were associated with suppression of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and extracellular signal-related kinases (ERK)/Jun amino terminal kinases (JNK)-mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) pathway in trachea and HD11 cells. These results proved that MSM has protective effects on MG-induced inflammation in chicken, and supplied a better strategy for the protective intervention of this disease.

Effects of Dietary Organic and Inorganic Sulfur on Laying Performance, Egg Quality, Ileal Morphology, and Antioxidant Capacity in Laying Hens

Simple Summary

Oxidative stress caused by environmental and nutritional factors could be detrimental to poultry production. Dietary natural antioxidants could therefore be beneficial in limiting the deleterious effects of oxidative stress in chickens. Methyl sulfonyl methane is a non-toxic natural organosulfur compound with the chemical formula (CH₃)₂SO₂ and is known as methyl sulfone or dimethyl sulfone. Inorganic sulfate (e.g., sodium sulfate) is involved in the metabolism of many tissues and systems, as well as in important detoxication mechanisms. Dietary sulfur in either organic or inorganic forms exhibits beneficial antioxidant properties in various animals in vivo and in vitro. Therefore, our studies have been conducted to evaluate the role of organic and inorganic sulfur in laying hens.

Abstract

The present study was conducted to investigate the comparative effects of organic and inorganic forms of sulfur, methyl sulfonyl methane (MSM) and sodium sulfate (SS), on laying performance, egg quality, ileal morphology, ileal volatile fatty acids, and antioxidant and stress markers in various biological samples in aged laying hens. A total of 144, 73-week-old Lohman Brown-Lite laying hens were randomly assigned to one of three experimental diets: basal diet (CONT), CONT + 0.2% MSM (MSM), and CONT + 0.3% SS (SS). The trial lasted for 12 weeks. MSM and SS diets contained 0.07% of sulfur, either organic or inorganic. Dietary MSM did not affect egg production or feed conversion ratio at 12 weeks compared with the CONT group. Dietary sulfur did not affect egg quality except for the Haugh unit at 4 weeks, which was lowered (p < 0.05) in the SS group. Compared with the CONT group, a higher (p < 0.05) villus height to crypt depth ratio was observed in the SS group. Dietary sulfur did not affect the percentages of short-chain fatty acids in the ileum. Total antioxidant capacity of the liver increased (p < 0.05) in laying hens fed MSM- and SS-added diets compared with the CONT group. The MSM and SS groups were found to have lowered (p < 0.05) malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration in serum samples compared with CONT. Finally, dietary MSM had the lowest (p < 0.05) MDA concentrations in yolk samples. Taken together, our study showed that dietary organic and inorganic sulfur have positive effects on ileal morphology and antioxidant capacity in laying hens. However, SS-mediated inhibition in laying performance needs to be clarified.

Dietary Oxidative Distress: A Review of Nutritional Challenges as Models for Poultry, Swine and Fish

The redox system is essential for maintaining cellular homeostasis. When redox homeostasis is disrupted through an increase of reactive oxygen species or a decrease of antioxidants, oxidative distress occurs resulting in multiple tissue and systemic responses and damage. Poultry, swine and fish, raised in commercial conditions, are exposed to different stressors that can affect their productivity. Some dietary stressors can generate oxidative distress and alter the health status and subsequent productive performance of commercial farm animals. For several years, researchers used different dietary stressors to describe the multiple and detrimental effects of oxidative distress in animals. Some of these dietary challenge models, including oxidized fats and oils, exposure to excess heavy metals, soybean meal, protein or amino acids, and feeding diets contaminated with mycotoxins are discussed in this review. A better understanding of the oxidative distress mechanisms associated with dietary stressors allows for improved understanding and evaluation of feed additives as mitigators of oxidative distress.

Effects of methylsulfonylmethane and neutralizing anti-IL-10 antibody supplementation during a mild Eimeria challenge infection in broiler chickens

A 28-day experiment was conducted in broilers to study the effects of feeding methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) and IL-10-neutralizing antibody from dried egg product (DEP) on the growth performance, immune responsivity, oxidative stress parameters, and gut health outcomes during a mild infection with mixed species of Eimeria. A total of 500 male Ross 308 chicks were allocated to five treatments: sham-inoculated (uninfected) chickens fed control diet (UCON), Eimeria-infected chickens fed control diet (ICON), and Eimeria-infected chickens fed control diet supplemented with 287 U/tonne of DEP (I-DEP), 0.4% MSM, or their combination (I-DEP-MSM), with 10 replicate cages of 10 birds per treatment. All infected groups received 1 mL of an oral inoculum containing Eimeria acervulina (10,000 oocysts), Eimeria maxima (5,000 oocysts), and Eimeria tenella (5,000 oocysts) on study days 7 and 14. Data were analyzed as a two-way ANOVA for all treatments including Eimeria-infected groups, in addition to a single degree of freedom contrast to compare uninfected and infected groups receiving the control diet. Mild Eimeria infection did not influence the growth performance in ICON compared with UCON at any time points. Overall (day 0-28) growth performance parameters were not influenced by either infection or dietary supplementation of MSM or DEP. However, birds in I-DEP-MSM showed improved ADG during study day 7 to 14 (i.e., 7 d after primary inoculation) indicating a beneficial effect immediately after Eimeria infection. Although MSM supplementation reduced thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (day 21 and 28), both MSM and DEP improved the total antioxidant capacity (day 21) in the plasma of infected birds. Histopathological outcomes were not influenced by treatments, and fecal oocyst output was higher in MSM- and DEP-supplemented groups than with ICON, indicating no beneficial effects. Similarly, expression of cecal inflammatory cytokines (IL-10, IL-1β, and interferon-γ) was not affected by MSM, DEP, or their combination. Overall, the current results suggest that both MSM and DEP supplementation may benefit birds during a mild Eimeria infection as indicated by improvements in ADG and oxidative stress outcomes.

Assessment of Total Antioxidant Capacity in Serum of Heathy and Stressed Hens

Simple Summary

In living organisms, the antioxidant defense system serves to counteract reactive oxygen (ROS) and nitrogen (RNS) species, thereby protecting cellular targets against their oxidative damage; it includes a combination of different substances of endogenous or exogenous origin. Several methods were developed to assess the overall antioxidant capacity or the precise determination of individual key antioxidants. In the present study, the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in healthy and dexamethasone-stressed hen serum was measured by applying four different spectrophotometric methods intended for both clinical and research studies, which could be automated on clinical auto-analyzers, thus allowing rapid and not expensive data collections. TAC values assessed by all four methods did not change throughout the experimental period in the control group, whereas significant changes were shown by all adopted assays in the stressed group, with some remarkable differences, probably due to the different contribution in each assay of the various antioxidant substances present in the samples. Therefore, when TAC evaluation is necessary to verify if animals are experiencing oxidative stress (OS) or to evaluate possible benefits from an antioxidant-enriched diet, TAC assessment should involve multiple assays, due to the different analytical technologies on which their assessments are based.

Abstract

Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in healthy and dexamethasone-stressed hens was measured by applying four different spectrophotometric methods—the ferric reducing ability (FRAP) assay, the 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzotiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) radical cation decolorization assay, the free radical scavenging activity (FRSA), and the total thiol levels (TTL). TAC assessed by all four methods did not change throughout the experimental period in the control group, whereas significant changes were shown by all adopted assays in the stressed group with some remarkable differences. TAC increased in the stressed group when FRAP and ABTS assays were applied, while it was reduced when sera were assessed by FRSA and TTL assays. Furthermore, FRAP assay was the only test able to show a significant change in TAC immediately after the end of the induced stress. At the end of the experimental period, TAC assessed by ABTS and FRSA assays showed a complete recovery in the stressed group, whereas TAC assessed by FRAP and TTL assays still showed significant persistent differences when compared to the control group. The observed differences in TAC are discussed in the light of the different contribution in each assay of the various antioxidant substances present in the samples.

Dietary supplementation with anti-IL-10 antibody during a severe Eimeria challenge in broiler chickens

Attenuation of host IL-10 activity during Eimeria infection may elicit a robust Th1 response to eliminate the parasite from the gut epithelium. An experiment was conducted to study the effects of feeding IL-10 neutralizing antibody delivered via a dried egg product (DEP) on growth performance, immune responsivity, and gut health outcomes during a severe challenge with either Eimeria acervulina (study 1) or Eimeria tenella (study 2) following FDA CVM #217 protocol to test anticoccidial products. A total of 720 male Ross 308 chicks were used in each study, with 15 replicate cages of 12 birds and the following 4 treatments: sham-inoculated (uninfected) control diet (UCON), Eimeria-infected control diet (ICON), and Eimeria-infected control diet supplemented with DEP at 2 levels (165 [I-165] or 287 [I-287] U/tonne in study 1 and 143 [I-143] or 287 [I-287] U/tonne in study 2). Individual birds assigned to infected treatment groups received a single oral dose of either 200,000 E. acervulina (study 1) or 80,000 E. tenella (study 2) oocysts at 12 d of age (i.e., d post inoculation [DPI] 0), whereas uninfected birds were sham-inoculated with tap water. A one-way ANOVA was performed on outcomes including growth performance, hematology, serum chemistry profiles, immunophenotyping profiles, and intestinal lesion scores. In both studies, DPI 0 to 7 weight gain, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio were worse (P < 0.05) in all infected groups compared with the UCON group. Compared with ICON, DEP supplementation elicited no differences on overall growth performance. Histopathology and lesion scores revealed severe damage to the gut epithelium owing to the Eimeria challenge, yet DEP supplementation did not improve these outcomes or oocyst shedding, hematological measurements, or serum chemistry. However, DEP supplementation improved (P < 0.05) the percentage of circulating CD3⁺ cells at 6 DPI in study 2. These results indicate that DEP does not appear to elicit a coccidiostatic effect during a severe infection with E. acervulina or E. tenella.