Morphology and life history of Ascaridia galli in the domestic fowl that are raised in Jeddah

Abstract EN

During the survey of helminth parasites of domestic fowl in leddah, adult worms of Ascaridia galli were collected and studied from their natural infection.

The1ife cycle of this nematode had been experimentally worked out for the first time in Saudi Arabia.

Fertilised eggs when incubated at 28-30°C, developed to the infective stage in about three weeks.

During this time, the first moult had occurred.

Completion of the life history of A.

galliin Ross Broiler chickens fed with infective eggs and examined at 5-day intervals for 60 days showed that the other three moults of this nematode were observed on the 10th, 15th, and from 20th to 25th days .after inoculation.

Prepatent period was 37 days.

The morphoiogy of mature male and female Ascaridia galli as well as the different stages of embryonic development and larval stages of this species are presented.

This appears to be the first report of this nematode in Saudi Arabia