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86 Hirani et al.haemoglobin concentration and total erythrocyte the intestinal mucosa, which was necessary for thecount, apparently lower packed cell volume, and passage of plasma protein at the height of the disease.significantly (p < 0.05) higher mean total leucocyte These lower protein levels might be due to reducedcount were found in coccidia-infected birds than the absorption of amino acids derived from the proteinhealthy ones (Table I). These findings were in constituents of feed due to reduced feed consumptionconformity with the earlier reports (Joshi et al., 1974; (Padmavathi and Muralidharan, 1986b). The resultsPadmavathi and Muralidharan, 1986a; Jaipurkar et al., on cholesterol are in agreement with the observations2004). The reduction in the value of haemoglobin and of Singh et al. (1976), Padmavathi and Muralidharantotal erythrocyte count observed in the infected-birds (1986b) and Basith et al. (1998), whereasmight be attributed to haemorrahges in the intestine Constantinescu (1976) could not see significantfollowed by development of intestinal lesions. There changes in serum cholesterol values in both infectedmay be injury to tissue and liberation of large and healthy birds. The hypercholesteremia observedquantities of histamine, which increase the local blood in the present study among the infected-birds might beflow and also increase the permeability of capillaries due to disturbed fat metabolism and loss of fluidand venules allowing large quantities of fluid to come resulting in apparent increase (Padmavathi andout (Padmavathi and Muralidharan, 1986a). The Muralitharan, 1986b) or due to impaired liver functionreduction observed in packed cell volume during the consequent to injury to intestinal epithelium inacute-phase of infection might be due to severe blood coccidiosis (Basith et al., 1998).loss resulting in anaemic condition (Joshi et al., 1974).The increased total leucocyte count in coccidiaalanineaminotransferase and alkaline phosphataseMean activities of serum aspartate aminotransferase,infected birds might be due to immune suppression ofinfection. This was suggestive of increasedobserved in infected-birds were non-significantlyleucopoiesis as a first step of defense mechanism tohigher as compared to the healthy ones. Singh et al.infection (Padmavathi and Muralidharan, 1986a).(1976) reported comparable findings, while Kumarand Rawat (1975) found no significant difference, butIn the present study, significantly (p < 0.05) higher values were slightly less in infected group asblood glucose and serum total cholesterol and lower compared to normal group. The increase in SGOT andserum total proteins were found in coccidia-infected SGPT activities observed in coccidia-infected birdsbirds as compared to healthy ones. Joshi et al. (1974) under study might be due to extensive damage toreported similar findings on blood glucose. However, intestine and liver by the parasites and thereby loss ofPadmavathi and Muralidharan (1986b) recorded appetite. Constantinescu (1976) reported significantserum hypoglycaemia in birds with experimental increase in serum AKP activity among infected-birds.Emeria tenella infection, whereas Basith et al. (1998) On the contrary, Kumar and Rawat (1975) reportedfailed to see any change in plasma glucose. This high significant decrease in serum AKP of E. necatrix- andlevel of blood glucose observed in coccidia-infected E. acervulina-infected 3-4 months old cockerels.birds may be either due to stress conditions leading tothe liberation of adrenal corticoids which induceIt can be concluded that haemoconcentration, reducedhyperglycaemia or disturbed carbohydratehaemoglobin and total erythrocyte count and anmetabolism due to interference with phosphorylativeincrease in total leucocyte count in coccidia-infectedcarbohydrate dissimilation by unidentified materialbirds suggest haemorrhage and increased leucopoiesispresent in the intestine of infected-fowls. The apparentas a first step of defense mechanism to infection. Thehyperglycaemia was undoubtedly due to loss ofhigh level of blood glucose observed in coccidia-erythrocytes. The observations on protein were ininfected birds may be either due to stress leading to theconformity with those of Turk (1972), who reportedliberation of adrenal corticoids which inducemarked reduction in protein during the acute-phase ofhyperglycaemia concomitant with loss ofE. necatrix infection. The significant (p < 0.05)erythrocytes. Reduced serum total protein andreduction in serum total protein observed in infectedbirdsindicate damage to intestine and vital organs,increased serum enzyme activity in coccidia-infectedbirds might be due to reduced feed intake and/orhaemorrahges through the gut and formation ofincreased cell membrane permeability and loss ofinflammatory exudates rich in blood proteins (Basithintracellular contents.et al., 1998). The decrease might also be due to leakageof protein resulting from the increased permeability of