Circulating prolactin concentrations in chickens infected with Eimeria tenella.

50000 oocysts of Eimeria tenella were inoculated into three-week-old cockerels and the effect of the infection (coccidiosis) on circulating concentrations of glucose, prolactin, sodium, potassium and haematocrit was determined. At day 5 of infection haematocrit was reduced and glucose was increased. From day 7 onwards prolactin concentration was elevated in infected birds compared with control and pair-fed birds. Plasma electrolytes were unchanged. It appears likely that loss of water resulting in osmotic changes during infection is the major reason for the observed changes in prolactin concentration in infected cockerels.