Gastrointestinal nematodes of goats: host–parasite relationship differences in breeds at summer mountain pasture in northern Italy

Abstract

IntroductionThe Orobic goat is a hardy breed native to the Orobic Alps (Lombardy, northern Italy). The aim of the study was the assessment of gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) egg excretion in Alpine and Saanen (cosmopolite breeds) and Orobic grazing goats, after a strategic treatment with eprinomectin in late June.Material and MethodsIndividual faecal samples from a mixed flock of cosmopolite and Orobic goats were collected and analysed by the FLOTAC double technique every three weeks from June to September.ResultsStrongylida was the primary GIN infection observed in goats that grazed on Alpine pastures; a strategic treatment with eprinomectin led to a prolonged reduction of egg excretion during the whole study period. Egg excretion was also influenced by breed. Pluriparous Orobic does were able to control reinfection better than the pluriparous cosmopolite does. Regarding Nematodirus sp. eggs per gram of faeces (EPG), the autochthonous Orobic breed presented higher values than the cosmopolite breeds. However, cosmopolite goats presented higher EPG values of Strongyloides papillosus than their Orobic counterparts in August.ConclusionsFurther studies on genetic features of local autochthonous goats, such as the Orobic breed, are needed, since they could reveal peculiar characteristics of susceptibility, resistance or resilience to GIN infection, providing genetic resources for selection.

Potential Zoonotic Gastrointestinal Nematode Infection from Goat in Sumedang

“…The Strongylida group is the main nematode that often infects the gastrointestinal tract in goats. [24][25][26] The percentage of positive helminth infections in this study was 57.69%, which is much lower than the prevalence in the previous study Nwoke in Ankpa, Nigeria of 73.8%. This difference may stem from the fact that the goats included in their study is under semi-intensive management with daily grazing that may add to the percentage of positive helminth infections present in goat feces.…”

Control of gastrointestinal helminths in small ruminants to prevent anthelmintic resistance: the Italian experience

“…A study by Zanzani et al (2019) evaluated the quali-quantitative variations of FEC due to reinfection after an anthelmintic treatment in a naturally infected flock composed by three dairy goat breeds, an autochthonous (Orobic) and two cosmopolite (Alpine and Saanen) breeds, to investigate the influence of selected risk factors (sampling, breed, and number of births) on FEC, and to find the differences in GIN reinfection between autochthonous and cosmopolite goats. In cosmopolite goats, FEC was characterised by higher values in pluriparous than in primiparous animals, while an opposite trend of reinfection was observed in Orobic goats, possibly related to acquired immunity being stronger in the autochthonous than the cosmopolite breeds.…”

Comparison of Female Verzaschese and Camosciata delle Alpi Goats’ Hematological Parameters in The Context of Adaptation to Local Environmental Conditions in Semi-Extensive Systems in Italy

“…Local goat breeds, such as Verzaschese, have shown at a worldwide level a greater resistance and resilience to diseases endemic to their area of origin than cosmopolitan breeds, especially concerning gastrointestinal parasites [18,57,58]. This can be explained by the fact that the semi-extensive farming system that characterizes the autochthonous breeds could result in a longer co-evolution between pathogen agent and host as well as in greater exposure to harmful organisms than cosmopolitan breeds [18,19,57,59].…”

“…For these reasons, it is of pivotal importance to take care of these animals' health in the optic of conservation strategies. Previous studies highlighted differences in the resistance/resilience against diseases and gastrointestinal parasites between cosmopolitan (e.g., Saanen and Camosciata delle Alpi) and local goat breeds [18][19][20]. Knowledge of hematological reference values of several goat breeds is still missing at a worldwide level.…”