Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the effect of Haemonchus contortus infection on rams’ haematological, biochemical and clinical parameters and reproductive performances. A total number of 12 Barbarine rams (control and infected) were included in the experiment. The infected group received 30 000 H. contortus third-stage larvae orally. Each ram’s ejaculate was immediately evaluated for volume, sperm cell concentration and mortality rate. At the end of the experiment (day 82 post-infection), which lasted 89 days, serial blood samples were collected in order to assess plasma testosterone and luteinising hormone (LH) concentrations. There was an effect of time, infection and their interaction on haematological parameters (p < 0.001). In infected rams, haematocrit, red blood cell count and haemoglobin started to decrease from 21 days post-infection. There was an effect of time and infection for albumin. For total protein, only infection had a statistically significant effect. For glucose, only time had a statistically significant effect. Concentrations were significantly lower in infected rams compared to control animals. A significant effect of infection and time on sperm concentrations and sperm mortality was observed. The effect of infection appears in time for sperm concentrations at days 69 and 76 post-infection. Sperm mortality rate was significantly higher in infected animals at day 46 post-infection when compared to control group (p < 0.05). Finally, plasma testosterone traits (average concentration, cumulated levels during the sampling period and pulse frequency) were depressed in infected rams when compared to control counterparts; none of these endocrine traits were affected for plasma LH.
Highlights
Thermo-period, photoperiod and nutrition are usually regarded as the main environmental factors affecting reproductive performance of livestock species under arid and semi-arid environments (Gonzalez-Bulnes et al 2010)
The impact of disease on reproductive efficiency is not as well studied as in cattle and when it is in relation to enzootic diseases such as gastrointestinal helminth infections
In Tunisia, for example, control measures of gastrointestinal helminths are hampered by (1) a very important diversity of epidemiological features through a north–south axis going, respectively, from humid to Saharan climate (Darghouth, unpublished data), (2) the absence of standard control programmes against gastrointestinal helminths based on epidemiological data and (3) very high parasite infection indicators
Summary
Thermo-period, photoperiod and nutrition are usually regarded as the main environmental factors affecting reproductive performance of livestock species under arid and semi-arid environments (Gonzalez-Bulnes et al 2010). The impact of disease on reproductive efficiency is not as well studied as in cattle and when it is in relation to enzootic diseases such as gastrointestinal helminth infections. In Southern Mediterranean countries, small ruminants face important health problems with high prevalences of several diseases such as brucellosis, foot and mouth disease, border disease and several parasitic infections such as Toxoplasma gondii infection (Gharbi et al 2013), fasciolosis (Akkari, Gharbi & Darghouth 2011), lungworms and gastrointestinal helminths (Akkari, Gharbi & Darghouth 2012). While the hematophagous nature of this common pathogenic parasite is well documented, there is little information on how essential functions such as reproduction may be affected when animals are infected with H. contortus. It is commonly assumed that, intuitively, parasite infection renders http://www.ojvr.org
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
