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Effects of oregano extracts, alone or in combination with other biomolecules, on growth performances and parasitological parameters of broiler chickens challenged with Eimeria spp.: a meta-analysis.
Avian Pathol. 2026 Jun; 55(3):250-262.AP

Abstract

Avian coccidiosis, caused by Eimeria protozoa, remains a major constraint in poultry production, prompting the search for alternatives to conventional anticoccidial drugs. Phytogenic feed additives, particularly oregano (Origanum vulgare) extracts rich in carvacrol and thymol, have emerged as promising candidates. This meta-analysis assessed the effects of dietary oregano supplementation, used alone or combined with other additives, on performance and parasitological outcomes in broiler chickens experimentally infected with Eimeria species. A systematic search identified eight studies published between 2003 and 2023, providing 16 independent comparisons. Four outcomes were analyzed: body weight (BW), feed conversion ratio (FCR), oocyst output per gram of faeces (OPG), and intestinal lesion scores (LS). Pooled estimates were generated using a random-effects model. Heterogeneity was evaluated using the I[2] statistic and Q-test, while publication bias was assessed with funnel plots and Egger's regression. Oregano supplementation significantly improved all parameters, with pooled effects of +19.9% for BW, -9.2% for FCR, -27.1% for OPG, and -31.0% for LS. Although heterogeneity was high (I[2] >90%, P < 0.0001), no significant publication bias was detected (Egger's P > 0.05). Sensitivity analyses confirmed result robustness. Overall, oregano extract supplementation (100-300 mg/kg) enhances growth performance and reduces parasitological burden in Eimeria-challenged broilers, supporting its use as a natural alternative, though further studies are needed to optimize dosage and confirm efficacy under commercial conditions. These findings highlight the potential integration of phytogenic additives into sustainable poultry health strategies and encourage large-scale field trials to validate consistency, economic benefits, and long-term impacts on resistance development and animal welfare.

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Publisher Full Text (DOI)

Authors+Show Affiliations

Yousfi S
Department of Biology, Faculty of Biological and Agronomical Sciences, Mouloud Mammeri University of Tizi Ouzou, Tizi Ouzou, Algeria. Laboratory of Ecology and Biology of Terrestrial Ecosystems (LEBET), Faculty of Biological and Agronomical Sciences, Mouloud Mammeri University of Tizi Ouzou, Tizi Ouzou, Algeria.
Fennouh C
Institute of Veterinary Sciences, Saad Dahlab University of Blida 1, Blida, Algeria.
Touhami NAK
Institute of Veterinary Sciences, Saad Dahlab University of Blida 1, Blida, Algeria.
Cheikh MYB
Laboratory of Ecology and Biology of Terrestrial Ecosystems (LEBET), Faculty of Biological and Agronomical Sciences, Mouloud Mammeri University of Tizi Ouzou, Tizi Ouzou, Algeria.
Salhi O
Institute of Veterinary Sciences, Saad Dahlab University of Blida 1, Blida, Algeria.
Ouchene N
Institute of Veterinary Sciences, Saad Dahlab University of Blida 1, Blida, Algeria.

MeSH

AnimalsAnimal FeedChickensCoccidiosisCoccidiostatsDietary SupplementsEimeriaFecesOriganumPlant ExtractsPoultry DiseasesThymolCymenes

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article
Meta-Analysis
Systematic Review

Language

eng

PubMed ID

41875322

Citation

Yousfi, Safia, et al. "Effects of Oregano Extracts, Alone or in Combination With Other Biomolecules, On Growth Performances and Parasitological Parameters of Broiler Chickens Challenged With Eimeria Spp.: a Meta-analysis." Avian Pathology : Journal of the W.V.P.A, vol. 55, no. 3, 2026, pp. 250-262.
Yousfi S, Fennouh C, Touhami NAK, et al. Effects of oregano extracts, alone or in combination with other biomolecules, on growth performances and parasitological parameters of broiler chickens challenged with Eimeria spp.: a meta-analysis. Avian Pathol. 2026;55(3):250-262.
Yousfi, S., Fennouh, C., Touhami, N. A. K., Cheikh, M. Y. B., Salhi, O., & Ouchene, N. (2026). Effects of oregano extracts, alone or in combination with other biomolecules, on growth performances and parasitological parameters of broiler chickens challenged with Eimeria spp.: a meta-analysis. Avian Pathology : Journal of the W.V.P.A, 55(3), 250-262. https://doi.org/10.1080/03079457.2026.2649368
Yousfi S, et al. Effects of Oregano Extracts, Alone or in Combination With Other Biomolecules, On Growth Performances and Parasitological Parameters of Broiler Chickens Challenged With Eimeria Spp.: a Meta-analysis. Avian Pathol. 2026;55(3):250-262. PubMed PMID: 41875322.
* Article titles in AMA citation format should be in sentence-case
TY - JOUR T1 - Effects of oregano extracts, alone or in combination with other biomolecules, on growth performances and parasitological parameters of broiler chickens challenged with Eimeria spp.: a meta-analysis. AU - Yousfi,Safia, AU - Fennouh,Chaima, AU - Touhami,Nadjet Amina Khelifi, AU - Cheikh,Meriem Yasmine Ben, AU - Salhi,Omar, AU - Ouchene,Nassim, Y1 - 2026/04/21/ PY - 2026/5/29/medline PY - 2026/3/24/pubmed PY - 2026/3/24/entrez KW - Eimeria KW - Oregano KW - broiler chicken KW - coccidiosis KW - meta-analysis KW - phytogenic feed additives SP - 250 EP - 262 JF - Avian pathology : journal of the W.V.P.A JO - Avian Pathol VL - 55 IS - 3 N2 - Avian coccidiosis, caused by Eimeria protozoa, remains a major constraint in poultry production, prompting the search for alternatives to conventional anticoccidial drugs. Phytogenic feed additives, particularly oregano (Origanum vulgare) extracts rich in carvacrol and thymol, have emerged as promising candidates. This meta-analysis assessed the effects of dietary oregano supplementation, used alone or combined with other additives, on performance and parasitological outcomes in broiler chickens experimentally infected with Eimeria species. A systematic search identified eight studies published between 2003 and 2023, providing 16 independent comparisons. Four outcomes were analyzed: body weight (BW), feed conversion ratio (FCR), oocyst output per gram of faeces (OPG), and intestinal lesion scores (LS). Pooled estimates were generated using a random-effects model. Heterogeneity was evaluated using the I[2] statistic and Q-test, while publication bias was assessed with funnel plots and Egger's regression. Oregano supplementation significantly improved all parameters, with pooled effects of +19.9% for BW, -9.2% for FCR, -27.1% for OPG, and -31.0% for LS. Although heterogeneity was high (I[2] >90%, P < 0.0001), no significant publication bias was detected (Egger's P > 0.05). Sensitivity analyses confirmed result robustness. Overall, oregano extract supplementation (100-300 mg/kg) enhances growth performance and reduces parasitological burden in Eimeria-challenged broilers, supporting its use as a natural alternative, though further studies are needed to optimize dosage and confirm efficacy under commercial conditions. These findings highlight the potential integration of phytogenic additives into sustainable poultry health strategies and encourage large-scale field trials to validate consistency, economic benefits, and long-term impacts on resistance development and animal welfare. SN - 1465-3338 UR - https://www.unboundmedicine.com/medline/citation/41875322/Effects_of_Oregano_Extracts DB - PRIME DP - Unbound Medicine ER -

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