Oocyst production of Eimeria lettyae in northern bobwhites following low-dose inoculations

Inoculation of northern bobwhite quail ( Colinus virginianus ) with low doses of Eimeria lettyae oocysts stimulates a protective immune response, suggesting immunization may be an option for controlling coccidiosis. However, the oocyst production of inoculated birds could be considerable, leading to subsequent outbreaks. To determine the oocyst production following inoculation with E. lettyae, we orally infected 12-wk-old bobwhites with 100, 1,000, or 10,000 sporulated oocysts. Fecal materials were collected on days 5-9 post-inoculation, and total oocyst production was counted in McMaster chambers. Oocyst production/bird was 49.75, 89.5, and 436 × 10(6) for 100, 1,000, or 10,000 oocysts administered, respectively. Estimated oocysts produced/oocyst administered was 49.75, 8.95, and 4.36 × 10(4) for 100, 1,000, or 10,000 oocysts administered, respectively. These findings not only illustrate the crowding effect of larger oocyst inocula but also illustrate the fecundity of E. lettyae at low doses. This suggests that successful immunization of bobwhites against coccidiosis with live vaccines might require attenuated strains with reduced reproductive potential.     

Life cycle and biology of Eimeria lettyae sp. n. (Protozoa: Eimeriidae) from the northern bobwhite, Colinus virginianus (L.)

A new species of coccidium, Eimeria lettyae sp. n. (Protozoa: Eimeriidae) was recovered from feces of the northern bobwhite, Colinus virginianus (L.), from Pennsylvania and Florida. Oocysts measured 21.1 microns (16.4 to 25.8) by 17.2 microns (14.1 to 21.2); index (L/W ratio) = 1.22. Oocysts lacked a micropyle, residuum, and polar granules. Sporozoites penetrated the upper 1/2 of the villi, then moved to the lamina propria at the base of the villi. There were five asexual generations, all of which developed above the nucleus of the host cell. Meronts measured 9.4 X 7.0 microns, 18.6 X 11.2 microns, 11.8 X 10.1 microns, 7.1 X 6.2 microns, and 20.2 X 12.8 microns, respectively. These matured at 32, 40, 48, 56, and 72 hr postinoculation (PI) and contained 12, 50+, 24 to 36, 12 to 24, and 50+ merozoites, respectively. Infection was most intense in the duodenum although some gamonts were found in the ileum and ceca. The prepatent period was 88 to 91 hr PI. Sporulation time was 18 hr at 25 C. The peak of oocyst production was broad and extended from 4 days PI through 14 days PI. Oocysts were passed for at least 67 to 76 days PI. Eimeria lettyae sp. n. did not infect chickens (Gallus domesticus), domestic turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo), ring-necked pheasants (Phasianus cochicus), chukar partridge (Alectoris graeca), or Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix). Immunizing bobwhite with E. lettyae sp. n. did not protect against challenge with E. dispersa. Immunizing bobwhites 25 times with 10(2) or 10(3) sporulated oocysts of E. lettyae did not entirely eliminate oocyst production following challenge with the same species.     

Coccidian parasites (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from insectivores. VII. Six new species from the hairy-tailed mole, Parascalops breweri

Sixteen hairy-tailed moles, Parascalops breweri, collected from the northeastern U.S.A. were examined for coccidian oocysts; all were infected with multiple species of coccidia and 3 genera were represented. Two cyclosporans, 2 eimerians, and 2 isosporans are described as new species. Sporulated oocysts of Cyclospora ashtabulensis n. sp. are subspheroid to ellipsoid, 18 X 14 (14-23 X 11-19) microns, and sporocysts are ovoid, 12 X 7 (8-14 X 5-9) microns; C. ashtabulensis was found in 7 of 16 (44%) moles. Sporulated oocysts of Cyclospora parascalopi n. sp. are spheroid, 17 X 14 (13-20 X 11-20) microns, and sporocysts are ovoid, 11 X 7 (8-14 X 5-8) microns; C. parascalopi was found in 8 of 16 (50%) moles. Sporulated oocysts of Eimeria aethiospora n. sp. are subspheroid to ellipsoid, 19 X 13 (15-24 X 10-16) microns, and sporocysts are ovoid, 11 X 6 (8-13 X 4-7) microns; E. aethiospora was found in 4 of 16 (25%) moles. Sporulated oocysts of Eimeria titthus n. sp. are subspheroid, 16 X 14 (13-19 X 11-17) microns, and sporocysts are ellipsoid, 11 X 6 (9-13 X 4-7) microns; E. titthus was found in 4 of 16 (25%) moles. Sporulated oocysts of Isospora ashtabulensis n. sp. are ellipsoid, 20 X 14 (16-24 X 10-18) microns, and sporocysts are ovoid, 10 X 7 (7-14 X 5-10) microns; I. ashtabulensis was found in 5 of 16 (31%) moles.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Cultivation of Cryptosporidium baileyi: studies with cell cultures, avian embryos, and pathogenicity of chicken embryo-passaged oocysts

Sporozoites of Cryptosporidium baileyi did not undergo development in primary cell cultures from either avian or mammalian hosts, or in mammalian cell lines. Oocysts of C. baileyi produced infections resulting in complete development to sporulated oocysts in chicken embryos and embryos of 8 other avian species examined. Inoculation of 4 X 10(5) oocysts was not pathogenic for avian embryos as evidenced by the lack of gross lesions or death. Oocysts obtained after C. baileyi had been passaged 10 times (first experiment) or 20 times (second experiment) in chicken embryos still caused clinical respiratory disease and gross airsacculitis when inoculated intratracheally into 2-day-old broiler chickens. Oocysts that had been passaged 10 times in chicken embryos were similarly pathogenic for 4-day-old turkeys after intratracheal inoculation.     

Eimeria acervulina infection elevates plasma and muscle 3-methylhistidine levels in chickens

To assess muscle breakdown during avian coccidiosis, the level of the nonmetabolizable amino acid 3-methylhistidine (3MH) was determined in muscle, plasma and excreta from chickens infected with Eimeria acervulina. The changes in 3MH levels during infection were assessed at 1-29 days postinoculation (DPI) in animals given 5 x 10(5) oocysts per bird. The effect of levels of parasitism were evaluated at 8 DPI in birds receiving 5 x 10(3), 5 x 10(4), 5 x 10(5) or 1 x 10(6) oocysts each. The 3MH levels of plasma, muscle, and excreta samples were determined by high-pressure liquid chromatography after derivatization with fluorescamine. Weight gains, breast muscle weight, eviscerated weight, plasma carotenoid levels, dry weight of muscle, and gross lesion scores were also determined. Infected birds had significantly elevated plasma and muscle 3MH at 4 and 8 DPI following a single dose of E. acervulina. The increase in 3MH levels had an inverse relationship with the time course of weight gain and plasma carotenoid levels. Plasma and muscle 3MH levels returned to control values by 15 DPI and remained unchanged from control values through the remainder of the experiment (29 DPI). Breast weight was decreased in infected birds, but the ratio of breast weight to eviscerated body weight was unchanged. Excretion of 3MH decreased relative to controls at 4 and 8 DPI and returned to control levels on 15 DPI. The plasma and muscle levels of 3MH were related to severity of infection; however, levels of excreted 3MH were not. The results suggested that muscle breakdown, as assessed by plasma and muscle levels of 3MH, increased during the acute stage of E. acervulina infection. The underlying causes for this muscle breakdown was unclear but could involve a physiological response to anorexia and decreased food intake during the acute phase of infection. Levels of excreted 3MH did not increase during infection and this may be the result of decreased excreta output during infection. Plasma and muscle levels of 3MH were correlated with severity of E. acervulina infections but may not be as sensitive an indicator of infection as plasma carotenoid levels or other physiological parameters.     

Construction of PCR primers to detect and distinguish Eimeria spp. in northern bobwhites and a survey of Eimeria on gamebird farms in the United States

Coccidiosis is an important disease in captive gamebirds, including northern bobwhites (Colinusvirginianus). Three Eimeria species, Eimeria lettyae, Eimeria dispersa, and Eimeria colini, have been described in bobwhites. Distinguishing the various Eimeria spp. is often problematic because of similarity in oocyst morphology and site of infection and thus requires live bird infections to distinguish between the coccidian species. To aid in identification and diagnosis, PCR specific primers were generated against the internal transcribed spacer region 1 (ITS-1) of the ribosomal RNA gene using sequences obtained from coccidian-positive samples collected from diagnostic cases or litter from captive bobwhites. Three distinct Eimeria spp. were detected. Species-specific primers were constructed and used to survey the prevalence of the species in 31 samples collected from 13 states. The primers survey results identified E. lettyae, E. dispersa, and Eimeria sp. in 20 (64.5%), 22 (71%), and 29 (93.5%) of the samples, respectively. Mixed infections were common: 13 (41.9%) samples had 3 Eimeria spp., 14 (45.2%) had 2 spp., and 4 (12.9%) samples had only 1 species. The species were widely distributed over the area sampled and were not associated with the age of the flock.     

Effect of smokeless tobacco on the development of the CD-1 mouse fetus

The objective of this study was to examine the effect of an aqueous extract of smokeless tobacco (ST) on the development of the CD-1 mouse fetus. Three ST dosages were administered three times daily by gastric intubation during gestational days 1-17: 1 X ST equivalent to a dose of 4 mg nicotine/kg body weight, 3 X ST equivalent to 12 mg nicotine, and 5 X ST equivalent to 20 mg nicotine/kg body weight. Maternal plasma nicotine levels were determined 30 minutes after the second daily intubation at five different times during the gestational period. At these ST dosages, the weight gain of ST-treated dams was not significantly affected in comparison to treated controls, though the difference was significant (P less than .05) in comparison to untreated controls. The mean maternal plasma nicotine level for the low dosage (1 X) group was 99.0 ng/ml, which reasonably approximates human consumption levels. The 3 X ST and 5 X ST dosages produced higher nicotine plasma values, 398 ng/ml and 623 ng/ml, respectively, were considerably more toxic to the dams, and resulted in 18% and 31% maternal deaths. Fetal weights were reduced by 7.4% (P less than .001) in the highest ST dosage group (5 X), whereas at the 1 X and 3 X dosages fetal weight differences were not significantly different from treated controls. Resorptions increased in a dose-related manner (P less than .05), ranging from 4.7% in the 1 X, to 6.4% in the 3 X and 8.9% in the 5 X dosage compared to 3.2% in treated controls. External malformations were few and minor in extent. Internal malformations increased in a linear, dose-related manner (P less than .05). Placental weights were unaffected by ST. The results of skeletal examinations were inconclusive. Precocious ossification was seen in 60% and 70% of the parameters measured in the 1 X and 3 X dosage groups, respectively, in comparison to controls. In the 5 X ST group ossification levels were less than in controls for 30% of the parameters measured. Under these experimental conditions the lowest ST dosage (1 X) produced a negligible effect on the CD-1 mouse fetus and the dam. The highest ST dose (5 X) demonstrated embryotoxicity, growth retardation, few malformations, and maternal toxicity. The intermediate dose (3 X) showed a range of effects between the highest and lowest doses to both the fetus and the dam.     

Immunogenicity of a single sporocyst of Eimeria maxima

Eight out of a total 40 chickens infected with single sporocysts of Eimeria maxima produced infective oocysts. These 8 chickens, when challenged with 4 X 10(5) oocysts per bird at 28 days postinfection, showed at least twice the percent average weight gain of the previously unexposed chickens, indicating that partial immunity was probably conferred by these infections. Also, these successful single sporocyst infections suggest that like E. tenella, sporozolles of E. maxima are probably sexually undifferentiated.     

Teratogenicity and developmental toxicity of valproic acid in rats

The teratogenicity and developmental toxicity of valproic acid (VPA) was investigated in Sprague-Dawley CD rats at doses of 0, 150, 200, 300, 400, and 600 mg/kg administered by gavage on days 7-18 of gestation. The VPA-600 dose was maternally toxic, causing death in two of four dams. This dose produced 100% embryonic resorption. The VPA-400 dose was maternally toxic in as much as maternal weight gain was reduced, but no deaths occurred. At this dose five of fifteen litters were completely resorbed, and 52% of all embryos were resorbed. Among survivors, 49% were malformed (68% having skeletal defects and 41% visceral defects). Fetal weight was reduced by 43% in this group. Most of the defects were ectrodactyly, hydronephrosis, cardiovascular defects, hypoplastic bladder, rib and vertebral defects, and other defects of the limbs and tail. The VPA-300 dose (nine litters) produced fewer defects, larger fetuses, and no increase in resorptions. The defects at this dose were primarily cariovascular, rib, and vertebral. The VPA-200 dose (12 litters) produced no reduction in fetal weight, no increase in resorptions, and few defects. The defects noted were hydronephrosis, cardiovascular abnormalities, and rib defects, primarily wavy ribs. Additional litters were prepared using doses of 150 and 200 mg/kg and were allowed to deliver and grow until 70 days. These doses produced no reduction in maternal weight gain, no reduction in litter size, birth weight, or sex ratio of the offspring. These doses produced no reduction in offspring weight to day 70, no increase in mortality, and only rare cases (two offspring of each dose) of tail defects.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Dietary cimetidine and copper in Eimeria acervulina-infected chicks

The effects of varying levels of cimetidine (N"-cyano-N-methyl-N'-(2-[(5-methylimidazol-4-yl)methylthio]-ethyl ) guanidine) on Eimeria acervulina (duodenal coccidiosis)-induced changes in gain, efficiency, duodenal pH, and liver copper concentration of chicks were investigated. In a preliminary trial, gain, efficiency, and duodenal pH were significantly reduced in chicks inoculated one time with 1 X 10(6) sporulated oocysts. Dietary addition of 121 ppm monensin (2-[5-ethyltetrahydro-5-[tetrahydro-3-methyl-5-[tetrahydro-6-hydro xy-6- (hydroxymethyl)-3,5-dimethyl-2H-pyran-2-yl]-2-furyl]-2-furyl]-9-hydroxy- beta-methoxy-alpha, gamma, 2,8-tetramethyl-1,6-dioxaspiro[4.5]decane-7-butyric acid) prevented these coccidiosis-induced aberrations. In subsequent trials, growth rate, feed efficiency, and duodenal pH were reduced by E. acervulina infection, but were unaffected (P greater than 0.10) by dietary addition of 0.01% cimetidine. Linear depressions (P less than 0.05) in gain and efficiency, however, were observed from 0.05 and 0.10% cimetidine additions. Dietary addition of 500 ppm copper increased liver copper levels thirtyfold (P less than 0.01) after 2 weeks. Significant coccidiosis X copper interactions were detected in gain, efficiency, duodenal pH reduction, and liver copper elevation of chicks repeatedly inoculated with 4 X 10(5) sporulated E. acervulina oocysts. Coccidiosis increased liver copper levels (P less than 0.01) of chicks fed excess copper an additional threefold compared with uninfected chicks fed excess copper. Dietary additions of 0.01, 0.05 or 0.10% cimetidine were ineffective in preventing coccidiosis-associated performance and duodenal pH depressions as well as the coccidiosis-induced liver copper elevation. Apparently, host response to cimetidine is minor in comparison to effects of coccidia on duodenal pH. Increased copper solubility at low duodenal pH may explain high tissue copper levels and enhanced copper toxicity due to coccidiosis.     

Eimeria tenella: immunogenicity of arrested sporozoites in chickens

Groups of chickens were medicated with the anticoccidial drug, decoquinate, and starting 1 day after this medication they were given daily inoculations of either 1 X 10(4) (Experiment 1) or 1 X 10(5) (Experiment 2) oocysts of a decoquinate-sensitive strain of Eimeria tenella. This assured the presence of large numbers of drug-inhibited sporozoites in the cecal tissues. The immunity arising from the presence of these inhibited sporozoites was assessed by challenging the medicated chickens with a 2.5 X 10(5) oocysts of a decoquinate-resistant strain of E. tenella. The response to challenge was assessed by weight gain, the severity of cecal lesions, hematocrits, and cecal oocyst numbers. The inhibited sporozoites promoted little (if any) immunity judged by clinical signs of disease. However, judged by body weight changes after challenge, the presence of inhibited sporozoites provided substantial protection against the body-weight-depressing effects of the challenge dose. These findings emphasize the importance of stage-specific antigen expression in Eimeria spp. infections and support the notion that immunogenicity is associated with tropic stages of the parasite.     

Eimeria ladronensis n. sp. and E. albigulae (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the woodrat, Neotoma albigula (Rodentia: Cricetidae)

Of 50 white-throated woodrats (Neotoma albigula) collected from Socorro Co., New Mexico, 21 (42%) had eimerian oocysts in their feces when examined. Of the 21 Neotoma found positive for Eimeria, 19 (90%) harbored a single eimerian species at time of examination. Eimeria albigulae Levine, Ivens & Kruidenier, 1957, was found in 18 (86%), and E. ladronensis n. sp. was found in five (24%) infected woodrats. Sporulated oocysts of E. ladronensis are ellipsoidal, 19-25 X 13-15 (21.4 +/- 1.3 X 14.1 +/- 1.1) micron, have a smooth wall and one or two polar granules, but lack a micropyle and an oocyst residuum. Sporocysts are tapered at one end, 7-10 X 6-7 (8.5 +/- 0.7 X 6.5 +/- 0.3) micron, and have a Stieda body and sporocyst residuum, but no substieda body. Prepatent periods for E. albigulae and E. ladronensis n. sp. are 5-6 and 8-9 days, respectively; patent periods are 7-18 and approximately 11 days, respectively.     

Effect of gamma-irradiation on oocysts of Eimeria necatrix.

Effect of gamma radiation on oocysts of Eimeria necatrix was investigated. It was observed that oocysts exposed to 200 kR or above did not sporulate. Irratiation at 10-150 kR caused a progressive decrease in sporulation. Irradiation affected normal development of unsporulated oocysts as the zygote protoplasm divided into unequal masses or was shattered into granules. Increase in the intensity of irradiation of sporulated oocysts resulted in the progressive decrease in severity of the resultant infections in chicks and their effects - mortality, type of lesions developed, total oocyst production and immunity produced - were comparable with infections induced by decreasing the number of unirradiated oocysts. Infection produced by 1000 unirradiated oocysts was comparable with that resulting from 50 000 oocysts irradiated at 25 kR. Infection obtained with 20 000 unexposed oocysts approximated to that produced by 50 000 oocysts irradiated at 2-5 kR. It was concluded that irradiation abolished infectivity of the oocysts/sporozoites rather than bringing about attenuation of the parasite.     

Coccidian parasites (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from insectivores. VI. Six new species from the eastern mole, Scalopus aquaticus

Thirteen eastern moles, Scalopus aquaticus, collected in West Texas were examined for coccidian oocysts; 11 (85%) were infected and eight (73%) of these had multiple infections representing two or more species. One cyclosporan, three eimerians, and two isosporans were studied and all are described as new species. Sporulated oocysts of Cyclospora megacephali n. sp. were subspheroidal, 18.5 X 15.7 (14-21 X 12-18) microns; they had sporocysts pointed at one end with Stieda bodies nearly as wide as the sporocysts themselves, and were 15.0 X 7.2 (11-17 X 6-9) microns; C. megacephali was found in four (31%) hosts. Sporulated oocysts of Eimeria scalopi n. sp. were spheroidal to subspheroidal, 13.6 X 12.6 (11-17 X 11-15) microns with sporocysts lemon-shaped, 8.7 X 5.5 (7-10 X 4-7) microns; it was found in six (46%) hosts. Sporulated oocysts of Eimeria aquatici n. sp. were asymmetrically ellipsoidal, 17.0 X 10.6 (14-20 X 9-14) microns with sporocysts elongately ovoidal, 9.0 X 5.2 (8-11 X 4-6) microns; it was found in two (15%) hosts. Sporulated oocysts of Eimeria motleiensis n. sp. were subspheroidal, 17.0 X 15.3 (15-20 X 13-18) microns with sporocysts ovoidal, 10.7 X 6.8 (10-13 X 6-8) microns; it was found in seven (54%) hosts. Sporulated oocysts of Isospora motleiensis n. sp. were spheroidal to subspheroidal, 13.6 X 12.0 (10-17 X 8-15) microns with sporocysts broadly ovoidal, 9.5 X 6.7 (7-11 X 4-8) microns; it was found in nine (69%) hosts. Sporulated oocysts of Isospora aquatici n. sp. were subspheroidal, 20.9 X 18.4 (15-24 X 13-21) microns with sporocysts ellipsoidal, 11.8 X 9.0 (9-14 X 7-11) microns; it was found in two (15%) hosts.     

Coccidian parasites (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from insectivores: new species from shrew moles (Talpidae) in the United States

All of 18 shrew moles, Neurotrichus gibbsii, collected in Oregon and Washington were infected with one or more species of coccidia. Three eimerians and one isosporan were identified and described as new species. Sporulated oocysts of Eimeria heterocapita n. sp. were subspheroid to ellipsoid, 25.5 X 21.4 (23-27 X 18-23) micron. A membranous, cap-like structure was present at one pole of the oocyst, but a micropyle, oocyst residuum, and polar body were absent. Ovoid sporocysts were 13.6 X 10.0 (12-15 X 9-11) micron; a compact sporocyst residuum was present, but Stieda, sub-, and parastieda bodies were absent. This species was found in 2 of 18 (11%) hosts. Sporulated oocysts of Eimeria neurotrichi n. sp. were ovoid, 17.6 X 13.6 (16-20 X 11-16) micron; micropyle and oocyst residuum were absent, but a polar body was present. Ovoid sporocysts were 10.7 X 5.5 (9-12 X 5-6) micron; Stieda body and sporocyst residuum were present, but sub- and parastieda bodies were absent. This species was found in 2 of 18 (11%) hosts. Sporulated oocysts of Eimeria parastiedica n. sp. were subspheroid, 27.4 X 25.5 (25-30 X 22-28) micron; micropyle, oocyst residuum, and polar body were absent. Ovoid sporocysts, pointed at both ends, were 18.3 X 10.4 (16-20 X 9-11) micron; Stieda, sub-, and parastieda bodies were present as was a sporocyst residuum. This species was found in 2 of 18 (11%) hosts.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Eimeria and sarcocystis in raccoons in Illinois

Eimeria nuttalli oocysts were found in 58% (21/36) and E. procyonis oocysts in 25% (9/36) of raccoons Procyon lotor in Illinois, and sporocysts of Sarcocystis sp. in 17% (2/12) of other raccoons in Illinois. The oocysts of E. nuttalli were ellipsoidal to ovoid, 15-21 X 12-17 micrometer, with a one-layered, smooth, colorless wall. The oocysts of E. procyonis were 22-28 X 18-22 micrometer, with a rough, striated, brownish, two-layered wall. The sporulated sporocysts of Sarcocystis sp. were 11-13 X 8-10 micrometer. Attempts to infect baby pigs by feeding them sporocysts of Sarcocystis sp. from the reaction failed.     

Coccidian parasites (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) of Microtus spp. (Rodentia: Arvicolidae) from the United States, Mexico, and Japan, with descriptions of five new species

Beginning in July 1980, 149 voles (Microtus spp.) representing 9 species and 14 subspecies collected in Japan, Mexico and the United States were examined for coccidia; 67 (45%) had oocysts in their feces. These included 1 of 3 (33%) M. californicus sactidiegi; 0 of 1 M. longicaudus longicaudus; 0 of 1 M. l. macrurus; 48 of 111 (43%) M. mexicanus including 11 of 26 (42%) M. m. fulviventer, 1 of 2 (50%) M. m. fundatus, 13 of 31 (42%) M. m. mexicanus, 1 of 4 (25%) M. m. mogollonensis and 22 of 48 (46%) M. m. subsimus; 5 of 8 (63%) M. montanus arizonensis; 6 of 6 M. montebelli montebelli; 2 of 4 (50%) M. oregoni oregoni; 5 of 13 (38%) M. pennsylvanicus pennsylvanicus; 0 of 1 M. quasiater and 0 of 1 M. townsendii townsendii. The following coccidians were identified from infected voles: Eimeria saxei n. sp. (syn. E. wenrichi "B") from M. c. sactidiegi; E. ochrogasteri, E. saxei, E. wenrichi (syn. E. wenrichi "A"), and Eimeria sp. from M. m. fulviventer, Eimeria sp. from M. m. fundatus; E. ochrogasteri, E. saxei, Eimeria tolucadensis n. sp., E. wenrichi, and Eimeria sp. from M. m. mexicanus; E. wenrichi from M. m. mogollonensis; Eimeria coahuiliensis n. sp., E. saxei, Eimeria subsimi n. sp., E. wenrichi, Eimeria sp., and Isospora mexicanasubsimi n. sp. from M. m. subsimus; E. tamiasciuri and E. wenrichi from M. m. arizonensis; Eimeria spp. from M. m. montebelli; E. saxei and E. wenrichi from M. o. oregoni; and E. ochrogasteri and E. wenrichi from M. p. pennsylvanicus. Sporulated oocytsts of Eimeria coahuiliensis n. sp. were ellipsoid, 29.6 X 19.6 (27-34 X 18-22) micron with ovoid sporocysts 14.4 X 8.9 (13-18 X 8-10) microns. Sporulated oocysts of Eimeria saxei n. sp. were subspheroid, 13.0 X 11.0 (11-14 X 10-12) micron with ovoid sporocysts 7.5 X 4.0 (6-9 X 4-5) micron. Sporulated oocysts of Eimeria subsimi n. sp. were ovoid/subspheroid, 25.1 X 18.7 (22-28 X 17-21) micron with ellipsoid sporocysts 13.9 X 7.4 (13-15 X 6-8) micron. Sporulated oocysts of Eimeria tolucadensis n. sp. were subspheroid, 25.4 X 20.3 (23-26 X 19-23) micron with ellipsoid sporocysts 11.3 X 7.8 (10-13 X 7-9) micron. Sporulated oocysts of Isospora mexicanasubsimi n. sp. were subspheroid, 23.7 X 23.1 (21-26 X 21-26) micron with ovoid sporocysts 14.9 X 10.8 (12-16 X 10-12) micron.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Coccidian parasites (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from insectivores. IV. Four new species in Talpa europaea from England

Moles from England were examined for coccidian oocysts and all 64 Talpa europaea were infected; of 64 infected hosts, 56 (88%) had multiple infections representing two to six coccidian species when examined. Oocysts in 31 of the 64 samples remainedunsporulated. Three eimerians and one isosporan were studied from the 33 fecal samples that had sporulated oocysts and these are described as new species; Cyclospora talpae Pellérdy & Tanyi, 1968, and Isospora sofiae (Golemansky, 1978) Levine & Ivens, 1979, are redescribed; and Cyclospora sp., similar to C. talpae, is discussed. Sporulated oocysts of C. talpae are ellipsoidal, 14.3 X 9.6 (12-19 X 6-13) microns with sporocysts ovoid, 9.4 X 5.7 (6-13 X 4-8) microns; it was found in 21 of the 33 (63.6%) sporulated samples. Sporulated oocysts of Cyclospora sp. are subspheroidal to ellipsoidal, 12.5 X 8.9 (10-14 X 6-12) microns with sporocysts ovoid, 8.6 X 5.3 (6-10 X 4-6) microns; it was found in 21 of the 33 (63.6%) sporulated samples. Sporulated oocysts of Eimeria avonensis n. sp. are elongate-ellipsoidal, 15.0 X 9.6 (13-20 X 7-12) microns with sporocysts ovoid, 6.6 X 3.6 (5-9 X 3-7) microns; it was found in 15 of the 33 (45.5%) sporulated samples. Sporulated oocysts of Eimeria berea n. sp. are subspheroidal, 12.1 X 10.5 (10-15 X 8-14) microns with sporocysts ovoid, 6.3 X 3.9 (5-10 X 2-5) microns; it was found in 8 of the 33 (24.2%) sporulated samples.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Susceptibility of 1- and 3-Day-Old Chicks to Infection with the Coccidium, Eimeria acervulina

SYNOPSIS. One-day-old chicks were less susceptible to experimental infection with E. acervidina than were 3-day-old chicks. Chicks fed intact oocysts when 3 days old produced 5.3, 6.7, and 42.7 times as many oocysts and had more extensive lesions than did those fed a similar number of oocysts when 1 day old. When oocyst suspensions that contained both liberated sporocysts and intact oocysts were administered, chicks infected when 3 days old produced only 1.8, 1.3, and 2.6 times as many oocysts as did those infected when 1 day old.
Examination of gizzard and intestinal contents of chicks killed 2–1½ hr after receiving massive numbers of intact oocysts showed that only a few sporocysts were liberated from oocysts in the gizzard of 1-day-old chicks, whereas more were liberated in the gizzard of 3-day-old chicks. Very few sporozoites were found in the duodenum of the 1-day-old chicks. but there was a linear increase in the percentages in samples from lower levels of the small intestine. In 3-day-old chicks, excystation in the duodenum was high and, instead of increasing, remained at about the same level in the jejunum.
The far smaller number of liberated sporocysts in the gizzards of 1-day-old chicks is attributed to less musculature and an incompletely developed grinding surface The delayed excystation of sporozoites in the intestine of 1-day-old chicks is thought to be due to suboptimal concentrations of trypsin and/or other pancreatic enzymes effecting excystation.
The lighter infections observed in 1-day-old chicks, as compared to those in chicks 3 days old, are attributed to (a) a smaller number of liberated sporocysts leaving the gizzard, (b) delayed excystation in the intestine, and (c) less opportunity for sporozoites to penetrate epithelial cells.     

Effect of mammalian growth hormone and prolactin on the growth of hypophysectomized chickens

Body weight gain and shank-toe growth during a 26-day treatment period following hypophysectomy were 55 and 46%, respectively, of control values, but the body weight gain was unaffected and bone growth only slightly reduced when the hypophysectomized chickens were fed a low dose of corticosterone (5 ppm). Bovine growth hormone (0.5 mg GH/kg body wt/day for 18 days) enhanced body weight gain and shank-toe length increase (an estimate of bone growth) by 46 and 33%, respectively, compared to the growth of hypophysectomized chickens receiving only corticosterone. These same endpoints were increased approximately 24% after ovine growth hormone treatment in hypophysectomized chickens not receiving corticosterone. Body weight gain during 18 days of treatment with bovine prolactin (0.5 mg PRL/kg/day) was 27% greater than the value for corticosterone-treated hypophysectomized chickens, but bone growth was unaffected. The mammalian GH preparations increased heart weight of the hypophysectomized chickens (25-29%), but pectoralis muscle weight was unaffected. GH treatment enhanced thymal weights by 71% in corticosterone-treated hypophysectomized chickens, and by 93% in hypophysectomized animals not receiving corticosterone. GH had no significant effect on bursal weights, and PRL had no effect on either of these lymphoid organ weights in corticosterone-treated hypophysectomized chickens. GH increased liver and adipose tissue weights considerably more than the large increases that followed treatment of hypophysectomized chickens with corticosterone alone (69 and 126% greater, respectively), but had no effect on these endpoints in hypophysectomized chickens not receiving corticosterone. PRL also greatly increased liver and adipose tissue weights in corticosterone-treated hypophysectomized chickens (79 and 75%, respectively). These results provide evidence that mammalian GH enhances body weight gain, bone growth, and the growth of several organs in the hypophysectomized chicken. Mammalian PRL increased body weight gain, liver weight, and adipose tissue weight in corticosterone-treated hypophysectomized chickens, but did not influence bone growth or the weights of the heart, pectoralis, thymi, or bursa.