Trichostrongylus colubriformis infection in Santa Inês lambs: impact on feed digestibility, blood markers, and nitrogen balance

Rev Bras Parasitol Vet. 2020;29(2):e002220. doi: 10.1590/s1984-29612020026. Epub 2020 May 18.

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Trichostrongylus colubriformis infection on the hemato-biochemical parameters, feed digestibility, and nitrogen balance in Santa Inês lambs. Eighteen three-month-old Santa Ines castrated male lambs (16.9 ± 1.43 kg of body weight) were randomly distributed in two experimental treatments: infected with T. colubriformis (I, n = 9) and uninfected (U, n = 9). The I group received a total of 45,000 L3 larvae of T. colubriformis (5,000 infective larvae, three times per week, for three weeks). During the experimental period, blood, feed digestibility, and nitrogen balance were evaluated. The I lambs showed a reduction in erythrocytes, hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, and total proteins, as well as an increase in platelets and eosinophils compared to those in the U group (p < 0.05). With the exception of total protein content, these values were within the normal range for the species. Furthermore, lower dry matter and organic matter digestibility were observed in the I lambs (p = 0.08). The present findings highlight that T. colubriformis infection has the potential to impair some hemato-biochemical parameters as well as feed digestibility in lambs, which could affect their productivity.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial, Veterinary

MeSH terms

  • 3-Hydroxybutyric Acid / blood
  • Animals
  • Blood Cell Count / veterinary
  • Blood Proteins / analysis*
  • Digestive System / parasitology*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Erythrocyte Indices / veterinary
  • Feces / chemistry
  • Feces / parasitology
  • Hemoglobins / analysis
  • Male
  • Nitrogen / analysis*
  • Nitrogen / urine
  • Serum Albumin, Bovine / analysis
  • Serum Globulins / analysis
  • Sheep / parasitology*
  • Sheep Diseases / parasitology
  • Trichostrongylosis / blood
  • Trichostrongylosis / parasitology*
  • Trichostrongylosis / urine
  • Trichostrongylosis / veterinary
  • Trichostrongylus / parasitology*

Substances

  • Blood Proteins
  • Hemoglobins
  • Serum Globulins
  • Serum Albumin, Bovine
  • Nitrogen
  • 3-Hydroxybutyric Acid