Skip to main content
ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #133135
Title: OXIDATIVE STRESS DURING AVIAN COCCIDIOSIS

Author
item Allen, Patricia

Submitted to: Poultry Science Association Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/10/2002
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: It is known that oxidative stress occurs during the acute phase (days 5-7 post infection) of primary avian coccidia infections. This is a period of much host tissue destruction that is associated with maturation and shedding of oocysts. However, little is known about the host redox status during early hours of host-parasite interaction. In this study, selected analytes and antioxidant enzyme activities wee assayed in plasma and infected gut tissues from three-wk-old male SexSals, each infected with 30,000 sporulated oocysts of Eimeria maxima. Samples were collected periodically through 144 hr post infection (PI). Values were compared to those from uninfected control samples. Infection caused a 47% reduction in weight gain and a mean lesion score of 3.2 at 144 hr PI. Of the major plasma antioxidants, uric acid was increased 138% at 32 hr PI whereas albumin did not change through 72 hr PI. Both uric acid and albumin decreased from 80 through 144 hr PI to 71% and 69% of control respectively. Plasma carotenoids transiently decreased to 73% control at 12 hr PI then decreased from 80 hr through 144 hr to 24% of control. On the other hand plasma nitrite+nitrate was within control range through 72 hr, but peaked at 398% of control at 120 hr PI. In infected gut tissue nitrite+nitrate increased from 3 hr PI, peaking at 8 hr, 72 hr, and 144 hr PI. Total gut glutathione (GSH) increased transiently at 12 hr PI, but later declined to 54% of control at 120 hr PI. Glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity was decreased about 20% between 3 and 12 hr PI, but then gradually increased through a small peak at 72 hr PI to 125% control at 144 hr PI. Thioredoxin reductase (TR) activity increased from 24 hr IP with peaks at 72 hr and 120 hr PI. In this experiment 72 hr PI was a pivotal time following which large and concerted changes in redox status of the chick host apparently occurred. Smaller changes did occur through 32 hr PI and may be associated with the host response to parasite development.