Weight gain and control of endo- and ectoparasites of beef heifers treated with allopathic, herbal and homeopathic drugs

João Batista Catto,Carlos Alberto Do Nascimento Ramos,Gelson Luis Dias Feijó,Ivo Bianchin,Ana Beatriz Canevari Castelão,Flábio Ribeiro Araújo

doi:10.1590/s1984-29612013000400009

João Batista Catto, Carlos Alberto Do Nascimento Ramos + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/s1984-29612013000400009

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of herbal, homeopathic and allopathic treatments for parasites in beef heifers during two experimental cycles of 318 and 313 days. NC - negative control (untreated); HH - treated with homeopathic preparation Homeo bovis Parasitário®; PC - (positive control) - treated with 10% moxidectina® and an acaricide formulation of cypermethrin, chlorpyrifos and piperonyl butoxide®; HF - treated with homeopathic preparation Fator C&MC®; and FN - treated with neem cake (torta de neem®) and with neem oil (óleo de neem®). Parasite egg count (EPG), horn fly (Haematobia irritans) and tick (Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus) assessment and animal weighting were performed at 28-day intervals. Blood samples were collected at the first cycle to assess the immune response. Horn fly infestation was not affected by any treatment (P>0.05). The mean number of ticks, which was low in both cycles, was lower (P<0.05) in the first cycle in animals that received PC treatment. In both experimental cycles, the mean EPG of the PC-treated animals was lower (P<0.05) than the animals receiving other treatments. TREATMENTS had no effect on the immune response (P>0.05). The animals treated with allopathic drugs were 22 to 30 kg heavier (P<0.05) than untreated animals or animals treated with alternative drugs.

Highlights

Most food production is based on the intensive use of chemically synthesized inputs, mechanization and selective breeding
Treatments: NC - negative control; HH - treated with homeopathic preparation Homeo bovis Parasitário ; PC - - treated with 10% moxidectina and an acaricide formulation of cypermethrin, chlorpyrifos and piperonyl butoxide ; HF – treated with homeopathic preparation Fator C&MC ; and FN - treated with neem cake and with neem oil
Parasite egg count (EPG), horn fly (Haematobia irritans) and tick (Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus) assessment and animal weighting were performed at 28-day intervals

Summary

Introduction

Most food production is based on the intensive use of chemically synthesized inputs, mechanization and selective breeding. The frequent use (and misuse) of APs has resulted in the emergence of resistant populations of endo- and ectoparasites (CHAGAS et al, 2008; GRAF et al, 2004; KAMINSKY et al, 2008; BARROS et al, 2012) For these reasons, as well as due to their lower cost, the absence of residues in meat and milk, their low environmental impact, their ease of use as food additives, the use of homeopathic and herbal medicines as APs is significantly increasing in Brazil. Several million head of cattle in the country are being treated with homeopathic and herbal formulations in organic and conventional systems Despite their increasing use, the efficacy of these control measures has not been validated based on scientific evidence obtained under field conditions (CHAGAS et al, 2008; MOLENTO, 2009; COSTA-JUNIOR; FURLONG, 2011)

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