Trichostrongylus colubriformis affecting sheep phosphorus metabolism and precision feeding as a mitigating strategy

Abstract

This review details the negative effects of Trichostrongylus colubriformis infection in sheep phosphorus metabolism and direct and indirect impacts from high excretion from susceptible animals, as well as the advantages offered by precision feeding as potential strategies to mitigate loss. In sheep infected with T. colubriformis there is a high reduction in P bioavailability, because of depression in the absorptive capacity of this mineral, affecting the absorption and recycling of P to the digestive tract, causing mineral deficiency. Therefore, precision feeding compiles animal genetics information, feeding type and grazing management to control animal feed intake and quantity and quality of manure produced. In this sense, the adoption of precision feeding can provide a better arrangement of the information, making sheep production more economically, socially and environmentally sustainable.

Influence of breed and parasite challenge on the immune response to naturally acquired intestinal nematode infection in sheep

“…colubriformis in epithelium mucosa affects tissue integrity, provoking hyperplasia and crypt hypertrophy, atrophy of microvillus and epithelium erosion (Cardia et al ., 2011; Dimitrijević et al ., 2012), and thus compromising retention time of digesta, and the digestibility and absorption of nutrients (Cardia et al ., 2011; Dias-Silva et al ., 2019, 2020). Furthermore, it may lead to decreased feed intake due to inappetence (Kyriazakis et al ., 1996; Coop & Kyriazakis, 1999; Dias-Silva et al ., 2021).…”

“…Trichostrongylus colubriformis infection causes a progressive reduction of feed intake in sheep, which can begin earlier than patency, and the severity of the clinical signs may vary according to several factors such as the age, physiological and nutritional status, and breed of the host, and also according to the larval challenge, time of exposure and establishment rate of the parasite (Dias- Silva et al, 2021). In heavy infections, T. colubriformis may cause severe enteritis due to tissue damage and inflammation in the intestinal mucosa (Andronicos et al, 2010).…”