Effects of coccidiosis on the electrophoretic pattern of serum proteins in chickens.

The electrophoretic distribution of serum proteins was measured in chickens inoculated with sporulated oocysts of Eimeria acervulina, E. tenella, and E. maxima. Total serum protein decreased on day 5 and 7 postinoculation (PI) with all three species. However, the changes produced in the individual serum protein fractions differed with the species. In serum from E. acervulina-infected birds, all protein components decreased quantitatively; the largest decrease was in the alpha globulins. The overall percent distribution of the globulins was similar to that of uninoculated controls, except for a decrease in the alpha globulins. In E. tenella-infected chickens, albumin decreased (both quantitatively and in percent distribution), but the alpha 1, beta, and gamma 1 globulins increased. In E. maxima-infected chickens, only albumin and alpha 1 globulin decreased quantitatively; the amounts of alpha 2, beta, or gamma globulins did not change. These changes were transitory and had disappeared by day 10 PI.