The life cycle stages of Eimeria bovis affected by the immune reaction in calves

Summary Three experiments were conducted to determine whether schizonts of E. bovis are appreciably influenced by the immune reaction in calves. Each experiment involved two groups each of four to six calves. Each calf in one group was given an immunizing inoculation of 60,000 to 100,000 oocysts, and after 30 to 35 days each calf in both groups was given a challenging inoculation of 800,000 to 5 million oocysts. One calf in each group was killed on successive days beginning 15 to 17 days after the second inoculation. Numbers of schizonts in the small intestine were estimated by examination with a dissecting microscope and frequency of sexual stages in the cecum and colon was observed in sections. No consistent difference was found in concentration, estimated total number, or size of schizonts in the two groups, although non-immunized calves had a much higher frequency of sexual stages. The results indicate that the schizonts and preceding stages are not appreciably influenced by the immune reaction, so that immunity must chiefly affect the merozoites or sexual stages.