Performance of lambs under four levels of dietary supplementation and artificially mix-infected with Haemonchus contortus and Trichostrongylus colubriformis

Abstract

The effect of four diets on the performance of Dorper lambs that were artificially mix-infected with 1000 infective larvae (L3) of Haemonchus contortus and 1000 L3 of Trichostrongylus colubriformis every three days for 12 weeks was evaluated. For each diet, one infected group (n = 7) and one control group (n = 4) were set up. The four diets contained the following proportions of hay (H) and concentrate (C): Diet 1 - 100%H; Diet 2 - 75%H:25%C; Diet 3 - 50%H:50%C; Diet 4 - 25%H:75. All the infected groups showed decreases in mean packed cell volume (PCV) and total plasma protein, especially the Diet 1-infected, which was also the group with the highest fecal egg count. The diets and infection had significant effects (P < 0.05) on daily body weight gain (DBWG), cold carcass weight and daily food consumption. The control and infected groups had mean DBWG (in kg), respectively, of 0.048 and 0.025 with Diet 1; 0.082 and 0.067 with Diet 2; 0.188 and 0.189 with Diet 3; and 0.303 and 0.221 with Diet 4. In conclusion, the infection affected the productive performance regardless of the diet; however, with increased metabolizable protein and energy, the risk of occurrence of anemia and hypoproteinemia diminished.

Effect of Supplementation of Lambs with Whole Cottonseed: Impact on Serum Biomarkers and Infection by Gastrointestinal Parasites under Field Conditions

“…and GIN co-infection. There could be changes in serum proteins in animals with parasitic infections caused by GIN [ 2 , 39 , 40 ] and by Eimeria spp. in sheep [ 41 , 42 ].…”

Effects of Mangifera indica leaf hay on weaned lambs before and after a Haemonchus contortus infection

“…The average DMI (0,802 Kg) observed in this study was close to that recommended by NRC (2007), which is 0.800 Kg for lambs with an average BW of 20 Kg. The study carried out by Carvalho et al (2021) compared the effect of four diets on Dorper sheep infected with H. contortus and Trichostrongylus colubriformis. The energy levels and protein in the diet in uenced the H. contortus infection; the animals that received higher metabolizable protein and energy showed a lower incidence of hipoproteinemia.…”