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Integrated control of gastrointestinal nematodes in lambs using a bioactive feed x breed approach

Werne, S.; Isensee, A.; Maurer, V.; Perler, E.; Drewek, A. and Heckendorn, F. (2013) Integrated control of gastrointestinal nematodes in lambs using a bioactive feed x breed approach. Veterinary Parasitology, 198 (3-4), pp. 298-304.

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Summary

Forages rich in condensed tannins have repeatedly shown potential to reduce gastrointestinal nematode infection in sheep. Similarly, several breeds of sheep have shown a relative resistance to gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN). We hypothesised that additive or even synergic effects may arise from the combination of a relatively resistant breed and a diet rich in condensed tannins. In study I, 160 lambs of the native Red Engadine Sheep (RES) and 113 lambs of the Swiss White Alpine sheep (SWA) were artificially infected with GIN and subsequently grazed for 52 days. The lambs were then distributed to 2 groups for a 14-day experimental feeding period. One group received a diet with a proportion of 55% sainfoin and was compared to a control group on the basis of faecal egg counts (FEC). In study II, 25 RES and 27 SWA lambs grazed infectious pastures for 37 days and were subsequently fed for 13 consecutive days with approximately 100% sainfoin or control forage. In addition to the FEC determination at the start and the end of the experimental feeding, the 52 lambs in study II were slaughtered and necropsied to determine their worm burden. FEC at the end of the feeding period were significantly lower in sainfoin fed lambs compared to controls in study I (p < 0.001) as well as in study II (p = 0.012). Breed, animal age, live weight, sex and the interaction of breed and treatment did not affect FEC in either study.
The main nematode genera found in the sacrificed lambs of study II were Haemonchus spp., Teladorsagia spp., Nematodirus spp. and Trichostrongylus spp. Overall, RES had a significantly lower Haemonchus spp. (p = 0.035) and Trichostrongylus spp. (p = 0.003) worm burden compared to SWA. Regardless of breed, sainfoin feeding significantly reduced Teladorsagia spp. (p = 0.049) and Nematodirus spp. (p < 0.001) worm burden. Although, we could not demonstrate additive or synergic effects when using an integrated breed x sainfoin approach, the finding that a proportion of only 55% sainfoin in the diet led to a lower FEC compared to controls is important with respect to the implementation on producing farms.
© 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.


EPrint Type:Journal paper
Keywords:Tiergesundheit, Endoparasiten, Condensed tannins, Sainfoin, Lambs, Breed, Gastrointestinal nematodes, Integrated control, LowInputBreeds
Agrovoc keywords:
Language
Value
URI
English
lambs
http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_4163
English
parasites
http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_5574
Subjects: Animal husbandry > Production systems > Sheep and goats
Animal husbandry > Health and welfare
Research affiliation: Switzerland > ETHZ - Agrarwissenschaften
Switzerland > FiBL - Research Institute of Organic Agriculture Switzerland > Animal > Animal health > Parasitology
Switzerland > FiBL - Research Institute of Organic Agriculture Switzerland > Animal > Small ruminants
European Union > LowInputBreeds > SP 2: Sheep
ISSN:0304-4017
Related Links:http://www.fibl.org/en/switzerland/research/animal-sciences/animal-sciences-research.html#c21678, http://www.lowinputbreeds.org
Deposited By: Heckendorn F, biologist MSc
ID Code:25223
Deposited On:04 Mar 2014 21:24
Last Modified:04 Aug 2021 06:25
Document Language:English
Status:Published
Refereed:Peer-reviewed and accepted

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