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

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.