Alteration in Small Intestinal Structure Induced by Experimental Subclinical Coccidiosis in Chicken

Abstract

Teshfam, M. and Rahbari, S. 2003. Alteration in small intestinal structure induced by experimental subclinical coccidiosis in chicken. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 24: 33–39.

The aim of this study was to show the changes in the morphology and the absorptive area of the mucosa of the small intestine. The small intestine mucosa of 10 cockerels experimentally infected with the oocyst of Eimeria was examined and compared with 10 healthy broiler chicks. In most samples from infected group a significant reduction in the number of tongue like villi was noticed and more complex villus forms (ridged villi) had appeared at all intestinal sites, compared with control group. Villus width and crypt depth also increased in infected animals compared with control group.

Keywords:

• Coccidiosis
• chicken
• Eimeria
• oocyst