Effects of turkey coccidiosis on intestinal pH

Broad Breasted White turkey poults (toms) infected with either Eimeria meleagrimitis or E. gallopavonis had significantly more acidic intestinal contents at 6 days postinoculation (PI) than did uninoculated controls. E. meleagrimitis caused lower pH values in both the duodenum and jejunum, the primary areas of parasitism, but not in the ileum or caeca. E. gallopavonis, which infects the ileum, reduced pH only in that region. The caecal coccidium of turkeys, E. adenoeides, did not significantly alter pH in any of the four regions (duodenum, jejunum, ileum, and caeca) examined. A mixed E. meleagrimitis and E. adenoeides inoculum significantly decreased pH values in the duodenum and jejunum 4, 6 and 8 days PI. Heavily infected poults had significantly lower pH values in the ileum, and higher values in the caeca as compared to uninoculated controls.