Effect of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae infections, pyrantel treatment and protein nutrition on performance of pigs exposed to soil containing Ascaris suum ova.

Abstract

An experiment with 96 growing-finishing pigs in three replications was used to compare eight treatments. Treatments were the combinations of 12 and 16% protein diets, 0 and 60 mg pyrantel base4 per kilogram of diet and challenge and no challenge by M. hyopneumoniae. All treatment groups were allowed access for 28 days to soil contaminated with Ascaris suum ova. Protein deficiency, no pyrantel and mycoplasma challenge each reduced rates of gain and increased feed:gain ratios in the initial 28-day treatment period and in the overall period (18 to 98 kg body weight), except for lack of protein and mycoplasma effects on rates of gain in the overall period. Protein deficiency and no pyrantel increased 28-day feed:gain ratios more in mycoplasma-challenged than in unchallenged pigs. Fecal ascarid egg counts were reduced by including pyrantel in the diet and by feeding an adequate protein level (16%).