Publication Type: | Journal Article |
Year of Publication: | 1979 |
Authors: | Augustine, PC, Thomas, OP |
Journal: | Avian Diseases |
Volume: | 23 |
Issue: | 4 |
Date Published: | 1979 |
ISBN Number: | 00052086 |
Keywords: | Meleagris, Meleagris gallopavo, Phasianidae |
Abstract: | Weight and biochemical studies were conducted on 2-week-old turkeys inoculated with 104 to 5 × 105 sporulated Eimeria meleagrimitis oocysts, on their pair-fed controls (equivalent food intake), and on control turkeys fed ad libitum. Food consumption and rate of weight gain of all inoculated and pair-fed turkeys fell sharply on day 4 postinoculation (PI), but deaths occurred primarily among the birds inoculated with 5 × 105 oocysts. Heart weights (expressed as percentage of body weight) were reduced in inoculated and pair-fed birds, but liver, spleen, and pancreas weights did not differ from those of either control group. Feed conversion (feed consumed/gain) was less efficient for inoculated turkeys than for ad libitum or pair-fed controls and was least efficient for turkeys inoculated with 5 × 105 oocysts. Plasma glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT, aspartate aminotransferase) activity increased, and carotenoid and total protein levels decreased in inoculated turkeys but not in the pair-fed turkeys, indicating that these changes were caused by the infection and not by reduced food intake. Plasma glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT, alanine aminotransferase) remained stable in all groups. Plasma glucose levels of inoculated birds did not differ from those of the control groups, but liver glucose and glycogen levels decreased in both the inoculated and pair-fed birds. |
URL: | http://www.jstor.org/stable/1589601 |
Short Title: | Avian Diseases |
Taxonomic name: