HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Frandsen, J. C. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Frandsen, J. C.

Effects Low-Level Infections by Coccidia and Roundworms on the Nutritional Status of Rats Fed an Adequate Diet^1,2,

US Department of Agriculture, Auburn, AL 36830 and and Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849

³ Address to which reprint requests should be sent: Regional Parasite Res. Lab., ARS.

Abstract

Experiments were conducted on male, Sprague-Dawley rats of the same age fed a standard laboratory diet to determine the comparative effects of single and concurrent subclinical infections by coccidia (Eimeria nieschulzi) and roundworms (Nippostrongylus brasiliensis) on nutritional status and metabolism. All infections produced anorexia, but it was more prolonged and intense with the concurrent ones. Feed:gain ratios were increased only by infections by nematodes alone, but average daily gains were reduced beyond the effect of anorexia (i.e., "specifically") only with the double infections. Infections by coccidia only, but not by nematodes only, specifically reduced the apparent digestibility of dry matter, organic matter and N; whereas only the apparent N digestibility was specifically reduced by the double infections. Balances of N were reduced in infected rats and pair-fed controls during anoretic periods, but significant differences between the daily means for infected and pair-fed rats occurred only erratically. Specific increases in urinary N loss did not occur with the single infections, but occurred on 2 d with the double ones. Increased losses of fecal N occurred with both coccdial and double infections, but they were much more pronounced in the latter. No effects of infection on the balances or carcass contents of CA and P occurred. The only significant differences between mean empty carcass densities occurred with the double-infected and free-fed uninfected groups, with the mean for the uninfected group being the higher.

¹ Publication No. 1630, School of Vet. Med., Auburn Univ.

² Mention of a trademark of proprietary product does not constitute a guarantee or warranty of the product by the USDA and does not imply its approval to the exclusion of other products that may also be suitable.

⁴ Dept. of Pathol. and Parasitology, School of Vet. Med.