Journal of Veterinary Parasitology

Enzyme histochemical investigation of different tissue stages (schizogonic and gametogonic) in the life cycle of E. tenella were undertaken in the caeca of chicks for the demonstration of phosphatases (AKPase, ACPase and ATPase) and oxidoreductases (SDH, LDH, NADH and MDH). Strong activity of NADH, ACPase, AKPase, LDH and MDH was found in schizonts, while gametocytes were having moderate to strong activity of ACPase, AKPase, LDH and MDH. Other enzymes (ATPase and SDH) showed weak activity. The variation of enzymatic activity in the caeca of E. tenella infected birds can be correlated with the normal physiological activity of caeca.