title: Sporulation dynamics of poultry Eimeria oocysts in Chennai.
abstract: The infective form of Eimeria is the highly resistant oocyst, which is shed in the faeces of infected animals. Present study was carried out to understand the sporulation dynamics of six Eimeria oocysts viz. E. acervulina, E. brunetti, E. maxima, E. mitis, E. necatrix and E. tenella in Chennai. Faecal samples of poultry were collected from various poultry farms located in and around Tamil Nadu. Oocysts of various Eimeria species were examined microscopically for sporulation on a 6 h interval basis till complete sporulation is acheived. The sporulation time recorded was 168, 120, 216, 192, 96 and 96 h for E. acervulina, E. brunetti, E. maxima, E. mitis, E. necatrix and E. tenella respectively. It can be concluded on comparison with previous studies that humid weather conditions delay the sporulation time and dry weather and wet litter is the ideal condition for rapid sporulation.
authors.affiliation: Madras Veterinary College, Tamil Nadu Veterinary & Animal Sciences University, Vepery, Chennai, 600 007 India ; Department of Veterinary Parasitology, College of Veterinary Science, Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University, Korutla, 505 326 Andhra Pradesh India.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Venkateswara Rao
authors.affiliation: Madras Veterinary College, Tamil Nadu Veterinary & Animal Sciences University, Vepery, Chennai, 600 007 India.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Raman
authors.affiliation: Madras Veterinary College, Tamil Nadu Veterinary & Animal Sciences University, Vepery, Chennai, 600 007 India.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gomathinayagam
keywords: Eimeria; Oocyst; Poultry faecal samples; Sporulation time