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Rate and course of sporulation of oocysts of Eimeria acervulina under different environmental conditions

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 April 2009

E. A. M. Graat ,
A. M. Henken ,
H. W. Ploeger ,
J. P. T. M. Noordhuizen  and
M. H. Vertommen
E. A. M. Graat
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Husbandry, Agricultural University, P.O. Box 338, 6700 AH Wageningen, The Netherlands
A. M. Henken
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Husbandry, Agricultural University, P.O. Box 338, 6700 AH Wageningen, The Netherlands
H. W. Ploeger
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Husbandry, Agricultural University, P.O. Box 338, 6700 AH Wageningen, The Netherlands
J. P. T. M. Noordhuizen
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Husbandry, Agricultural University, P.O. Box 338, 6700 AH Wageningen, The Netherlands
M. H. Vertommen
Affiliation:
Poultry Health Centre, P.O. Box 43, 3941 BP Doom, The Netherlands
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Summary

An experiment was conducted to determine the rate and maximum percentage of sporulation of Eimeria acervulina oocysts at various environmental conditions relating to temperature (21 versus 33 °C) and relative humidity (RH) (40 versus 80%). Measurements were made during 44 h after excretion of oocysts in 3 substrates: dry litter, clammy litter and pure faeces respectively. Maximum sporulation percentage in both dry (22·6%) and clammy litter (19·5%) was higher (P < 0·005) than in pure faeces (11·6%). Neither temperature nor RH had a significant influence on percentage of oocysts that sporulated. Under these simulated practical conditions approximately 25% of all oocysts sporulated, whereas sporulation under optimal conditions (29 °C, aeration, 2% K2Cr2O7) showed a higher (68%) sporulation ability of oocysts. At 33 °C sporulation proceeded at a faster pace than at 21 °C (P < 0·005). With respect to RH and substrate, once sporulation started, the rate of increase to maximum percentage was not different. Time of onset of sporulation was influenced by temperature (P < 0·0001) and RH (P < 0·001). Time of onset occurred 15 h later at 21 °C compared with 33 °C and 5 h later at 40% RH compared with 80%. Also, an interaction effect (P < 0·01) was found with effect of RH being stronger at 21 °C compared with 33 °C. It was concluded that the most important aspect in the epidemiology of E. acervulina during a flock cycle is the time of onset of sporulation with temperature being the most important factor.

Keywords

Eimeria acervulinacoccidiosissporulationenvironmental conditions
Type
Research Article
Information
Parasitology , Volume 108 , Issue 5 , June 1994 , pp. 497 - 502
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1994

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