Introduction

Necrotic enteritis associated with Clostridium perfringens remains one of the main health challenges in intensive poultry production. Although the progressive withdrawal of antibiotic growth promoters has driven the development of natural alternatives, effective control of the problem remains complex when the flock is under infectious pressure.

The productive impact is not limited to clinical cases. Even in subclinical presentations, alteration of the intestinal mucosa compromises nutrient absorption, increases flock variability and reduces feed efficiency.

Trial objective

To evaluate the efficacy of a strategy based on intestinal pronutrients in broilers experimentally challenged with Clostridium perfringens, analyzing:

• Intestinal mucosa integrity
• Macroscopic lesions
• Productive performance
• Challenge-associated mortality

Materials and methods

The trial was conducted under controlled experimental conditions with two groups:

• Challenged Control Group
• Treated Group + Challenge

Birds were challenged with a pathogenic strain of Clostridium perfringens during the critical growth phase. The treated group received the natural solution based on intestinal pronutrients incorporated into the feed.

The following evaluations were performed:

• Intestinal lesion score
• Mucosa histomorphometry
• Average daily gain
• Feed conversion ratio
• Mortality

Results

Results showed clear differences between both groups.

Treated birds presented:

• Lower severity of intestinal lesions
• Better preservation of mucosa architecture
• Greater intestinal villi height
• Reduction in challenge-associated mortality
• Better productive stability

The control group showed greater epithelial deterioration and higher productive variability.

Discussion

The control of Clostridium perfringens should not focus exclusively on direct action against the pathogen. The true critical point is the integrity of the intestinal epithelium.

When the mucosa maintains its functionality:

• Secondary bacterial proliferation is limited
• Nutrient absorption is preserved
• Inflammation is reduced
• Flock resilience is improved

Physiological stimulation of epithelial regeneration through pronutrients reinforces the target organ of the problem: the intestine.

Conclusion

Under experimental challenge conditions with Clostridium perfringens, the strategy based on intestinal pronutrients demonstrated improved mucosa integrity, reduced lesion impact and stabilized productive performance.

The physiological approach targeting the affected organ represents an effective tool within antibiotic-free production programs, contributing to maintaining efficiency and profitability under health pressure.