Abstract

Seventy female lambs (6–7 months old) which were exposed to natural infections of Haemonchus contortus were designated as responders or non-responders on the basis of 10 weekly cumulative faecal egg counts. Selected responder and non-responder lambs were treated with ivermectin, housed separately and 6 weeks post-housing, seven lambs from each group were given a trickle infection of Haemonchus contortus at 1000 L3 daily for 5 days per week up to 2 weeks and examined weekly for 10 weeks after first infection. Analysis of data revealed significantly lower mean faecal egg counts and non-significantly less weight loss in responder than non-responder lambs. Mean values of haemoglobin, packed cell volume, total serum protein and peripheral eosinophil counts were significantly higher in responders than non-responders. In contrast, serum pepsinogen concentration was significantly less in responders than in non-responders. At 10 weeks post-infection, there were fewer pathological lesions and significantly lower worm burdens in responders than in non-responders. These results demonstrate a distinct resistance in responders to Haemonchus contortus infection.

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 call

Disclaimer: 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.