Anticoccidial Efficacy of a New Polyether Antibiotic, Salinomycin, in Comparison to Monensin and Lasalocid in Battery Trials

Abstract

Broiler chicks were given salinomycin in the feed at levels of 30 and 60 ppm in battery trials to measure the efficacy against six major species of Eimeria. Comparisons to non-medicated chicks (controls) and chicks given monensin at 50 and 100 ppm or lasalocid at 37.5 and 75 ppm were made. Factors measured were the severity of coccidia lesions, mortality, and weight gain. The efficacy of salinomycin, monensin, and lasalocid in preventing lesions differed in many respects. The lesion control of salinomycin at 60 ppm was excellent against E. acervulina, E. mivati, E. necatrix, and E. tenella, and slightly reduced against E. maxima and E. brunetti. The lesion control of monensin at 100 ppm was excellent against E. mivati and E. necatrix, and slightly reduced against E. tenella, E. acervulina, E. maxima, and E. brunetti. The lesion control of lasalocid at 75 ppm was excellent against E. brunetti, slightly reduced against E. maxima, E. necatrix, and E. tenella, and lowest against E. acervulina. Based upon all measurements, salinomycin at 60 ppm was comparable or superior to monensin at 100 ppm and lasalocid at 75 ppm. At 30 ppm, salinomycin was more effective overall than monensin at 50 ppm or lasalocid at 37.5 ppm. The relative potency of each anticoccidial agent was clearly evident in these data.