Published online by Cambridge University Press: 09 March 2007
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.