The effect of intestinal coccidiosis ( Eimeria acervulina ) on blood and tissue ascorbic acid concentrations

Abstract

1. Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of intestinal coccidiosis ( Eimeria acervulina ) on blood plasma and tissue ascorbic acid (AA) concentrations in chicks, and a third experiment was carried out to examine the role of dietary AA in this infection. 2. Experimental infection with intestinal coccidiosis ( Eimeria acervulina ) brought about a depletion in the concentration of AA in blood plasma, duodenum, jejunum, ileum, liver and the adrenal glands. Generally, these changes were obtained after the prepatent period of 4–5 d of the infection. 3. Dietary AA at 1000 mg/kg prevented the depletion in plasma and tissue AA levels but did not significantly affect adrenal weight.