Abstract: Objective To investigate the infection of coccidian in experimental rabbits in Fujian province.Methods Feces were collected from 2 experimental rabbit producers and 12 experimental units in 6 prefecture level cities of Fujian province.The oocysts were collected by the method of saturated brine floating.The oocysts per gram of faeces (OPG) was determined and the sporulated oocysts were identified.Results A total of 195 samples were collected and analyzed in this survey,with 28 positive samples,the total infection rate was 14.36%,and the average OPG (represent infection intensity) was 2 333.33.The infection rate of 2 experimental rabbit producers was 22.22%,and the infection rate of 12 experimental units was 13.10%.A total of 10 kinds of rabbit coccidia were detected,all of them were mixed infection.Eimeria tenella was the dominant species.The infection rate of coccidian in the ordinary experimental rabbits was 15.30%,and coccidian can not be found in the cleanliness experimental rabbits.The positive rate of coccidian in weanling rabbits was the highest,the infection rate was 17.50%,the growing rabbits was the second.The breeding rabbits had the lowest infection rate and the highest infection intensity.In our province,bio-pharmaceutical enterprises had the highest infection rate of rabbit coccidia,the average OPG was 5 678.39,and the infection rate was also higher.In hospitals,universities and other research institutes,there are varying degrees of experimental coccidia infection.Conclusions The infection rate of coccidian in experimental rabbits in Fujian province is lower than other provinces.In daily work,we should further strengthen the experimental rabbit coccidian monitoring,prevention and control.It is suggested that rabbit coccidian should be included in the national standard of conventional experimental rabbits as necessary test items.

Key words: Experimental rabbit, Coccidian, Infection rate, Oocysts per gram of faeces (OPG)