Abstract
BackgroundIncreasing anthelmintic-resistance in nematodes of ruminants emphasises the need for sustainable parasite control. Condensed tannin-containing legume forages such as sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia) have shown promising anthelmintic properties in small ruminants but this has never been explored in cattle. Therefore, our aim was to examine the efficacy of sainfoin against cattle nematodes in vivo.MethodsFifteen Jersey male calves (2–4 month-old) were allocated into two groups and fed isoproteic and isoenergetic diets mainly composed of sainfoin pellets (Group SF; n = 9, three pens) or concentrate and grass-clover hay (Group CO; n = 6, two pens). After 16 days of adaptation, all animals were experimentally infected with 10,000 and 66,000 third-stage larvae of Ostertagia ostertagi and Cooperia oncophora, respectively. Egg excretion, blood parameters and bodyweights were recorded throughout the study. Worms were harvested by sieving for quantification and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) 42 days post-infection (dpi) when the calves were necropsied.ResultsThe number of O. ostertagi adults in the abomasum was reduced by 50 % in Group SF compared with Group CO (P < 0.05). This was further reflected in higher albumin (P < 0.1) and lower pepsinogen levels (P < 0.05) in Group SF at 21 dpi, and structural damage of the worm cuticle could be visualised by SEM. Yet, the nematode egg excretion in Group SF was not significantly different from that of the controls (P > 0.05). Likewise, no statistical difference in total worm burdens of C. oncophora was found between the groups. Weight gains were lower for Group SF (P < 0.05), which may reflect lower digestibility and phosphorus levels in the SF diet, despite similar feed intake at pen-level.ConclusionsOverall, the effect of sainfoin on abomasal nematodes corroborates results from studies with small ruminants and encourages further investigations of the use of this crop for control of cattle nematodes.
Highlights
Increasing anthelmintic-resistance in nematodes of ruminants emphasises the need for sustainable parasite control
It seems that a Condensed tannins (CT) concentration of 3–4 % of dry matter (DM) in plant material is a lower threshold for AH effects [5], albeit different methods were used to estimate CT and may give variable results
crude protein (CP) was low in hay compared to sainfoin and concentrate (8.4, 17.2 and 20.4 % of DM, respectively) (Table 1)
Summary
Increasing anthelmintic-resistance in nematodes of ruminants emphasises the need for sustainable parasite control. Desrues et al Parasites & Vectors (2016) 9:329 pedunculatus), sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata) and sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia) Due to their nitrogen fixating capacity, legumes have an essential role to play for the sustainability and competitiveness of grassland-livestock systems in Europe [3]. CT are polyphenolic PSMs found throughout the plant kingdom resulting from the polymerisation of flavan-3-ols units; using either epi-/catechin, known as procyanidins (PC), or epi-/gallocatechin, known as prodelphinidins (PD) Both PC and PD have the ability to reversibly bind proteins and other macromolecules. Different host species are differently adapted to CT and/or various gut environments ensuring the formation or release of CT-protein complexes [5] This has been illustrated, e.g. in sheep and goats using wattle tannin [15]. Most in vitro assays and short-term CT feeding trials have demonstrated a direct AH effect of CT [5], the high nutritive value of some temperate legumes and the protection of protein by CT from microbial degradation in the rumen (rumen by-pass protein) can improve the immune response and be indirectly detrimental to the parasites [16, 17]
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