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The effect of nutrition on the periparturient parasite status of mature ewes

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2010

J. Donaldson ,
M. F. J. van Houtert  and
A. R. Sykes
J. Donaldson
Affiliation:
Animal and Veterinary Sciences Group, Lincoln University, Canterbury, New Zealand
M. F. J. van Houtert
Affiliation:
Animal and Veterinary Sciences Group, Lincoln University, Canterbury, New Zealand
A. R. Sykes
Affiliation:
Animal and Veterinary Sciences Group, Lincoln University, Canterbury, New Zealand
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Abstract

The rôle of nutrition in the periparturient breakdown of resistance to gastrointestinal parasitism in mature ewes was investigated. Host resistance around this period, as measured by faecal egg concentration and worm burden, was sensitive to protein supply and to a lesser extent energy supply and body condition. Resistance was significantly less in ewes bearing and suckling twin lambs than those with singles. Differences in larval intakes spanning the range likely to be experienced in practice did not appear to be important. In dual infection with Teladorsagia circumcincta and Trichostrongylus colubriformis, the breakdown of resistance occurred almost exclusively with T. circumcincta confirming previous evidence of parasite species specificity in the periparturient breakdown of resistance.

Keywords

ewesmetabolizable energymetabolizable proteinnematoda
Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Science , Volume 67 , Issue 3 , December 1998 , pp. 523 - 533
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 1998

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