In vitro and in vivo activity of hydrolyzed Saccharomyces cerevisiae against goat nematodes

Abstract

Haemonchus contortus is the most prevalent nematode in tropical and subtropical regions and is responsible for significant losses in small ruminant production systems. Control of this parasite is based on the use of synthetic anthelmintics; although effective, prolonged and indiscriminate use can select for populations of resistant nematodes. Hydrolyzed yeast can help prevent populations of nematodes and is low in cost. The present study aimed to evaluate the preventive effect of hydrolyzed yeast on H. contortus through in vitro and in vivo assays. In in vitro experiments, the yeast preparation was tested at different stages of the H. contortus life cycle via tests of egg hatchability, larval development, larval exsheathment and larval migration. Both eggs and L3 larvae were obtained from sheep artificially infected with a monospecific strain of H. contortus. In in vivo experiments, animals were treated with hydrolyzed yeast (53.4 mg/kg/BW), and fecal egg counts (FECs), feces culture and Famacha were performed. The yeast preparation inhibited larval exsheathment in a dose-dependent manner (IC95 of 0.46 mg/mL), though no activity at the other stages of the H. contortus life cycle was observed. The hydrolyzed yeast preparation was able to reduce FECs in treated animals from D40 to D54 (p < 0.05), showing an average efficiency of 60%. The yeast exhibited preventive properties, and the IC95 value suggests that H. contortus is highly susceptible. Our results indicate that administration of hydrolyzed yeast, which is already used commercially in ruminant nutrition, is an alternative method for the control of nematodes, mainly H. contortus.