The possible effects of gastro-intestinal nematodes upon intestinal enzymes of calves

Abstract

Observations were made on the effect of combined infections of gastro-intestinal nematodes on small intestinal disaccharidases and alkaline and acid phosphatases in 4–5-month old Friesian calves. The tests were carried out 3 weeks following exposure of these calves to infected pasture in a wet tropical environment. Sucrase activity, at a very low level, was detected in all parts of the small intestine of infected and uninfected calves. There was no significant difference in maltase, trehalase, cellobiase, sucrase, lactase, acid β-galactosidase, acid and alkaline phosphatase activities between uninfected control calves and all infected calves in which Cooperia species predominated. In heavily infected calves with worm burdens greater than 20 000 Cooperia species significantly elevated ( P < 0.05) duodenal maltase and acid phosphatase levels were recorded.