Some plant extracts containing natural antimicrobial compounds can be used as either feed supplements or alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters (AGP). A plant known as green algae (Spirogyra jaoensis), is one of the species of green algae group. This study aimed to determine the effect of feeding a diet containing S. jaoensis ethanolic extract on the performance of male layer. A complete randomized model was used for experimental design in various variables. This study was conducted with 240 male layer day-old chick (DOC) (31.0±1.25 g) divided into 5 treatment groups. Each group consisted of 48 birds, with 3 replicates and 16 birds for each replicate. Dietary treatments tested namely, Con: control (without S. jaoensis), EGA1: Con + S. jaoensis extract at 0.05%, EGA2: Con + S. jaoensis extract at 0.1%, EGA3: Con + S. jaoensis extract at 0.25%, and EGA4: Con + S. jaoensis extract at 0.5%. Three chickens from each triplicate were taken and decapitated on the neck and the surgery was performed for histological preparations. The variables observed were villi height, cryptic depth, villi/ crypt ratio, goblet cell area of the small intestine, thymus organ weight, myofiber area, fasciculus area, muscle surface area of Pectoralis thoracicus muscle, and growth performance in 14-day-old chickens. Data were subjected to one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). If it was significant, a Tukey-test was performed with a significance level at p≤0.05. The results showed that small intestinal morphology, muscle morphology, and growth performance of the EGA4 chicken group increased significantly compared to controls (p≤0.05). This study concludes that the administration of S. jaoensis ethanolic extract improves morphology of the small intestine, morphometry of thymus organs, Pectoralis thoracicus muscle performance, and growth performance in male layer.

Background and Aim: Fasciolosis is a significant problem in veterinary and public health, causing huge economic losses. Epidemiological studies of fasciolosis in dairy cattle in Indonesia are few and existing reports primarily focus on prevalence. This study aimed to determine the prevalence, risk factors, and infection intensity of fasciolosis in dairy cattle in Boyolali, Indonesia. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 400 dairy cattle from 72 household farms in eight subdistricts. Fecal samples (n=400) were examined using the Flukefinder® kit and the simple sedimentation technique was the gold standard for fasciolosis. In-person interviews using questionnaires collected data on farmers, farms, and animal characteristics. Chi-square and logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate the associated risk factors for fasciolosis, and p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The overall prevalence of fasciolosis in dairy cattle in Boyolali, Indonesia, was 16.50% (95% confidence interval [CI] 12.85-20.15) at the animal level (n = 400), whereas 40.28% at household farms (n = 72) level (95% CI 18.67-51.88). The relative sensitivity and specificity of the Flukefinder® kit compared with those of the gold standard were 79.49% and 92.52%, respectively, with a moderate agreement (kappa=0.59; p < 0.001). Fasciolosis was more likely in cattle originating from the Mojosongo subdistrict than from other subdistricts (odds ratio (OR)=5.28, 95% CI 1.22-22.94); from farms that did not process manure versus from those that did (OR = 3.03, 95% CI 1.43-4.71); and with farmers that had never attended extension programs compared with those who had (OR = 4.72, 95% CI 1.99-11.19). Studied cattle were mostly affected by light Fasciola spp. infections (92.4%, 95% CI 77.8-100%) followed by moderate (6.1%, 95% CI 0-22.2%) and heavy (1.5%, 95% CI 0-5.6%) infections. Conclusion: Fasciolosis is prevalent in dairy cattle in Boyolali, Indonesia. Control efforts should target the high-risk Mojosongo subdistrict, emphasize the importance of processing manure, and encourage farmers to attend extension programs. Flukefinder® is a practical on-site diagnostic kit for fasciolosis in Indonesian dairy farms. Parasite species identification and a malacological survey of intermediate hosts of Fasciola spp. in the farming environment are required for further research.