Activity of selected phytogenic feed additives against Ascaris suum infection in pigs

Gastrointestinal nematodes are a serious problem in pig production, and control relies mainly on the use of synthetic anthelmintics. Alternative control options would be of high value to pig producers. In this study, we tested three different feed supplements for their anthelmintic properties using in vitro assays and an acute, controlled 15-day infection study with Ascaris suum in growing pigs. In vitro assays showed dose-dependent activity against A. suum for all three supplements. In vivo, A. suum larvae numbers were reduced by 57.9 % and 58.0 % by two of the supplements (containing garlic/areca and essential oils, respectively), but these differences were not statistically significant when compared to the control group (p = 0.13 and 0.09, respectively). Further large-scale cohort studies are required to confirm whether the tested feed supplements could act as alternative options to control A. suum infections.