Gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) infection poses the most significant obstacle to the sustainable development of small ruminant (sheep and goat) farming globally. Resistance of GINs to synthetic anthelmintic drugs has led to rising interest in exploring alternative methods for parasite control, such as the utilization of bioactive plants with anti-parasitic properties. In this investigation, black seed (Nigella sativa), a shrub high in secondary antioxidant compounds, and sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata), a perennial legume high in tannins with anti-parasitic properties were combined to determine if two bioactive plants containing different types of secondary compounds can provide a stronger anti-parasitic effect than sericea lespedeza alone. In a 49-day trial, naturally parasitized 6-7-month-old intact male Spanish goats (n = 15/treatment) were fed pelletized feeds encompassing sericea lespedeza leaf meal (SL), a combination of black seed meal (BS) and sericea lespedeza leaf meal (BS-SL - 75 % SL, 25 % BS), or alfalfa (Medicago sativa, control parasitized; CONP), with an additional group of dewormed kids given the alfalfa pellets (Control treated; CONT). Weekly measurements of animal weights and samples of blood and feces were collected to determine the packed cell volume (PCV), GIN fecal egg counts (FEC), and coccidia fecal oocyte counts (FOC), respectively. All animals were processed at the end of the trial (60 total), with adult Haemonchus contortus worms recovered from the abomasum of each goat for counting and sex determination. Carcass weights were recorded after processing. Goats given the SL and BS-SL treatments had lower FEC (P<0.05) than the parasitized alfalfa (CONP) goats. At the end of the study, the SL and BS-SL groups' FOC values were lower (P < 0.05) than the CONT and CONP groups. A rise in PCV values was seen over time for all groups; SL, BS-SL, and CONT animals exhibited higher PCV values (P < 0.05) in comparison to the CONP goats. The parasitized goats fed SL-only pellets showed greater feed intake and animal body weights (P < 0.05) compared to goats fed BS-SL or alfalfa pellets. However, the treatments had no effect on the weight of the goats' carcasses. Although the H. contortus adult worm counts in the CONT goats (alfalfa-dewormed) were lower (P < 0.05) than in the CONP goats (alfalfa-parasitized), they did not differ from the SL or BS-SL animals. This study indicates that sericea lespedeza leaf meal pellet diet, either by itself or in combination with black seed meal, showed promising results as an anthelmintic and may prove to be an effective alternative to exclusive use of conventional deworming drugs. The addition of black seed did not appear to enhance the effectiveness of sericea lespedeza in this study.

Resistance to gastrointestinal nematodes has previously been shown to be a moderately heritable trait in some breeds of sheep, but the mechanisms of resistance are not well understood. Selection for resistance currently relies upon faecal egg counts (FEC), blood packed cell volumes and FAMACHA visual indicator scores of anaemia. Identifying genomic markers associated with disease resistance would potentially improve the selection process and provide a more reliable means of classifying and understanding the biology behind resistant and susceptible sheep. A GWAS was conducted to identify possible genetic loci associated with resistance to Haemonchus contortus in Katahdin sheep. Forty animals were selected from the top and bottom 10% of estimated breeding values for FEC from a total pool of 641 sires and ram lambs. Samples were genotyped using Applied Biosystems™ Axiom™ Ovine Genotyping Array (50K) consisting of 51 572 SNPs. Following quality control, 46 268 SNPs were included in subsequent analyses. Analyses were conducted using a linear regression model in plink v1.90 and a single-locus mixed model in snp and variation suite. Genome-wide significance was determined by a Bonferroni correction for multiple testing. Using linear regression, loci on chromosomes 2, 3, 16, 23 and 24 were significantly associated at the genome level with FEC estimated breeding values, and we identified a region on chromosome 2 that was significant using both statistical analyses. We suggest a potential role for the gene DIS3L2 for gastrointestinal nematode resistance in Katahdin sheep, although further research is needed to validate these findings.

Grass-finishing lambs presents a challenge in the southeastern United States due to poor quality perennial grasses much of the year and presence of gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN). The objective of this study was to examine the effect of forage-based production, either grass-fed or grass-based with modest supplementation, on GIN infection and growth of fallborn lambs. Katahdin lambs born in October 2013 and 2014 were weaned in January of the respective following yr at 80 d ± 1.5 d or 85 d ± 1.8 d of age, respectively. Lambs were blocked by sex and randomly assigned to receive no (NON) or grain byproduct supplement (SUP; 15% CP) at 0.5% of body weight/d. A winter-born group of lambs was used as a contemporary comparison, but observed for a shorter period due to poor performance. Lambs were rotationally grazed on predominantly grass, legumes and forbs as grass quality waned. Body weight and body condition score (2014 fall-born lambs only), fecal-egg counts (FEC), and blood-packed-cell volume (PCV) were determined every 14 d. Data were analyzed by repeated measures in a mixed model or general linear model. Average daily gain between d 0 and d 84 was greater for SUP than NON lambs (137 g/d ± 4.9 g/d > 110 g/d ± 5.0 g/d; P = 0.003) in the first year, but similar between treatments the second year (NON, 175 g/d ± 5.3 g/d; SUP, 179 g/d ± 5.2 g/d; treatment × yr, P = 0.02). Rams gained faster than ewes (179 g/d ± 3.6 g/d > 121 g/d ± 3.6 g/d; P < 0.001). The average daily gain (d 0 to d 35) of winter lambs was greater for SUP than NON (33 g/d ± 8 g/d > -6 g/d ± 8 g/d; P = 0.001). The FEC were similar between treatments in fallborn lambs, but PCV was increased in SUP compared with NON lambs, particularly at 28 d post-weaning (treatment × yr × d, P < 0.001). Results in this study suggest that modest supplementation should result in greater gains in fall-born-ram lambs and improved tolerance to gastrointestinal parasites when forage quality is limiting. High-quality forage should result in good weight gain without supplementation.

Reliance on anthelmintic drugs to control internal parasites in sheep is no longer sustainable because of the development of resistance to these drugs in parasite populations. Genetic selection may offer an alternative long- term solution, as differences in parasite resistance exist both within and among sheep breeds. However, selection for parasite resistance may have correlated effects on other production traits. The objectives of this study were to estimate genetic parameters for weaning (WFEC) and postweaning (PWFEC) fecal egg counts (FEC) and assess their relationship with birth (BWT), weaning (WWT), and postweaning (PWWT) BW in Katahdin lambs. The study used WFEC (n = 2,537), PWFEC (n = 3.421), BWT (n = 12,869), WWT (n = 10,961), and PWWT (n = 7,812) from 12,869 lambs measured between 2003 and 2015 in 13 flocks enrolled in the U.S. National Sheep Improvement Program. Animal and sire models were fitted to the data using the ASReml statistical package. Records were corrected for fixed effects of dam age, joint effect of type of birth and rearing, and management group (defined by joint effects of flock, sex, and birth year and season); lamb age in days at each measurement time was fitted as a covariate. Maternal additive and maternal permanent environmental effects were not significant (P > 0.05), but litter effects influenced (P < 0.01) both WFEC and PWFEC. Heritability estimates ranged from 0.18 to 0.26 for WFEC and 0.23 to 0.46 for PWFEC, depending on the model used. Heritability estimates from sire models were higher than estimates from animal models. Direct additive, litter, residual, and phenotypic correlations between WFEC and PWFEC were 0.82, 0.25, 0.15, and 0.29, respectively. Bivariate analyses revealed low to moderate correlations between BW and FEC. Moderate heritabilities for FEC in this study indicated that genetic progress for this trait can be achieved in Katahdin lambs and that selection for low FEC should have little or no effect on BW.

Katahdin sheep numbers are growing in the Southeastern US. It is a breed committed to the sheep industry’s goal of eradicating Scrapie by selecting for sheep with RR or QR at codon 171. Gastrointestinal nematodes remain a threat to the health and well-being of sheep due to widespread anthelmintic resistance and lack of effective dewormers. The objective was to examine effect of BW and body condition score (BCS), and scrapie genotype on GIN infection in organic (ORG) and conventionally (CON) raised Katahdin lambs. Between 2014 and 2017, certified ORG (n = 100) and CON (n = 541) lambs born in fall (Oct-Dec) and winter (Feb-Mar) were raised on grass pastures and supplemented with a grain product as needed or when forage quality was limiting. Lambs were weaned at ~ 90 d of age and BW and BCS determined at ~ 60, 90, 120, 150, and 180 d of age. On d 90, 120, and 150, fecal and blood samples were collected to determine fecal egg counts (FEC) and blood packed cell volume (PCV), respectively, and a FAMACHA score assigned. Scrapie genotype was determined on all registered lambs, but not all commercial. There were 33 QQ, 212 QR, and 147 RR genotypes. Data were analyzed using SAS to examine correlations among variables, regression, and repeated measures using Proc mixed; FEC were log transformed. FEC were initially lower in ORG lambs, but higher by 150 d (management x day, P < 0.001), but PCV was higher (P < 0.001) and FAMACHA lower (P < 0.001) in ORG than CON lambs. The QQ genotype was associated with higher PCV than QR or RR (P = 0.01), but did not influence BW, BCS, or FEC. There was a negative relationship between BCS and FEC (P < 0.001), and a positive relationship between BCS and PCV (P < 0.001). In addition, higher BW and BCS were associated with improved GIN measures on date of measurement and subsequent dates (P < 0.001). Higher PCV and lower FAMACHA scores were associated with similar trends at subsequent samplings (P < 0.001), but not for FEC. Good nutrition leading to higher BW and BCS was associated with greater resilience to GIN post-weaning. While the industry strives to eliminate QQ genotypes, these data suggest possible resilience to GIN associated with QQ.

Gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) parasites are a major constraint to profitable sheep production. Due to long-term use of anthelmintics, GIN populations have developed resistance to those available. The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of a proprietary compound developed by Bedoukian Research Inc. which will be called Compound X (CoX, a ketone related to an approved flavoring ingredient, with an LD50 of > 5000 mg/kg and it has been classified as a biochemical with EPA). Twenty weaned lambs were removed from pasture and maintained in a dirt floor pen. After a 1 wk acclimation period, lambs were randomly allocated to 2 groups, n=10 each based on fecal egg count (FEC) done on d 0 prior to treatment. Fifteen ml of CoX, mixed with 15 ml of mineral oil (for solubility), was administered by oral drench daily for 8 d to each animal in the treatment group, and control group animals were administered an equivalent amount of mineral oil. FEC was monitored for an additional 4 d after stopping treatment. Each day, feces were collected directly from the rectum and processed for determination of FEC using the McMaster technique. Data were analyzed using Proc Mixed with repeated measures on log transformed FEC, which were back-transformed for presentation. On d 0, FEC was similar for treatment and control groups (7,704 ± 2,410 and 7,301 ± 2,284 eggs/g, respectively (P = 0.9035)). There was a significant (P < 0.0001) treatment × day interaction with mean treatment FEC being lower than control FEC for the duration of the study even after treatment was terminated. CoX FEC were 71% lower than control on d 11; FEC were 36% lower and 82% lower on d 11 than d 0 for control and CoX, respectively. Results indicated that CoX was effective in reducing and maintaining FEC under the conditions of this study. The fact that FEC remained low after stopping treatment indicated that the effect might be on eliminating the worms and not just reducing FEC temporarily. This compound may be a viable treatment to aid in the control of GIN infection.

Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) are a major cause of morbidity worldwide and have been described as an important public health concern. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence and identification of risk factors associated with IPIs among 3-15 years old school age children residing in Mandi Bahauddin, Pakistan from 2011- 2013. A cross sectional school-based study was conducted using a structured pre-tested questionnaire. Anthropometric tools and stool tests were used to obtain epidemiological and disease data. The direct wet mount preperation in saline/iodine/haematoxylin stain and Kato-Katz methods were used for stool examination. Data were analysed using appropriate descriptive, univariate and multivariable logistic regression methods. Of the 1,434 children studied (mean age of 8.6±3.6 years) the overall prevalence rate for intestinal parasitic infections was found to be 33.3%. Children infected with single parasite accounted for 27.6% and 5.7% were detected with poly-parasitism. The study showed that helminths (21.4%) were more prevalent than protozoans (17.9%). Ascaris lumbricoides (17.5%), Giardia lamblia (9.8%), Entamoeba histolytica (8.2%), Hymenolepis nana (2.0%), Trichuris trichiura (1.3%) and Taenia saginata (0.7%) were identified in children living in irrigated areas. The multiple logistic regression model indicated that age of the child, gender, family size, source of drinking water, type of milk used, house condition, feeding habit, personal hygiene and socioeconomic status were significantly (p<0.05) associated with the IPIs. Intestinal parasites were prevalent in varying magnitude among the schoolchildren located in irrigated areas. We conclude that there is a need for mass scale campaigns to create awareness regarding health and hygiene in children, and the need for development of effective poverty control programmes because deworming alone is not adequate to control parasitic infections.

Selection for low fecal egg counts (FEC) can be used to genetically enhance resistance to gastrointestinal nematode parasites in growing lambs, thereby reducing the frequency of use of anthelmintics, facilitating marketing of organic lamb, and reducing the risk of development of anthelmintic resistance by the parasite. Recording of FEC in lambs has, therefore, been incorporated into several national sheep genetic evaluation programs. Ewes in late gestation and early lactation are also vulnerable to parasite infection and commonly experience a periparturient rise in FEC. This study was designed to assess factors associated with the periparturient rise in FEC in Katahdin ewes and associated changes in FEC in their lambs. Data came from 1,487 lambings by 931 Katahdin ewes from 11 farms in the Eastern United States. Fecal egg counts were measured in ewes at approximately 0, 30, and 60 d postpartum and in their lambs at approximately 60, 90, and 120 d of age. Approximately 1,400 lambs were evaluated at each measurement age. Data were analyzed separately for ewes and lambs and also initially analyzed separately for each measurement time. Repeated-measures analyses were then used to evaluate responses across measurement times. In ewes, FEC peaked at approximately 28 d postpartum, and we concluded that informative periparturient FEC could be obtained from 1 wk before until approximately 5 wk after lambing. Yearling ewes had higher FEC than adult ewes ( < 0.01), and ewes that nursed twin or triplet lambs had higher FEC than ewes that nursed single lambs ( < 0.01). In lambs, FEC increased through approximately 120 d of age. Lambs from yearling ewes and lambs nursed in larger litters were, like their dams, at greater risk of parasitism ( < 0.05). Ewes and lambs in these groups would benefit from enhanced monitoring of parasite loads at lambing and in early lactation. Correlations () between FEC in lambs at 90 d of age and FEC in ewes at 0, 30, and 60 d postpartum of 0.05 to 0.09 ( ≤ 0.05) support the presence of a genetic relationship between these 2 indicators of parasite resistance.

The FAMACHA system was introduced to the U.S. just over 10 yr ago to allow selective deworming of lambs with anemia associated with Haemonchus contortus and retard the development of anthelmintic resistance. The FAMACHA system was initially developed as a predictor of packed cell volume (PCV), but correlations between FAMACHA and fecal egg counts (FEC) have also been reported. It is important to understand factors that influence FAMACHA scores among farms to improve management of gastrointestinal nematodes. The objectives of this study were therefore to quantify associations between FAMACHA scores, FEC, BW, and age in Katahdin lambs at 2 different measurement times in 8 flocks in the eastern U.S., and to assess consistency of relationships between FAMACHA and FEC among flocks. Data came from 1,644 Katahdin lambs from 7 flocks sampled at approximately 90 d of age, and 1,295 lambs from 6 flocks sampled at approximately 120 d of age over a 5 yr period. Residual correlations among log-transformed FEC (LFEC), FAMACHA scores, BW, and lamb ages at each measurement time were determined. Repeatability of each variable was also determined as residual correlations among repeated measures. At both 90 and 120 d of age, correlations of FAMACHA scores with LFEC and BW were significant (P < 0.001), but numerically modest (0.25 and -0.16, respectively at 90 d; 0.31 and -0.16, respectively at 120 d), demonstrating that higher FAMACHA scores were associated with higher FEC and more likely to be observed in lighter lambs. A small negative correlation was observed between FAMACHA score and lamb age (r = -0.05, P = 0.05, 90 d; r = -0.11, P < 0.001, 120 d) indicating that younger lambs were more likely to have elevated FAMACHA scores. Thus, younger and lighter lambs will likely be more susceptible to parasitism and may need to be managed more diligently than older or heavier lambs. In addition, FAMACHA scores have potential to improve breeding value estimates in programs designed to genetically improve parasite resistance.

Gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) infection of lambs is a major health issue that can cause anemia, reduced weight gains, poor performance, mortality and discouragement to farmers. Anthelmintic resistance limits the control of GIN by available dewormers, and most alternatives to dewormers have some drawbacks and failures. Because of the moderate heritability of parasite resistance, opportunities exist to improve parasite resistance through programs such as the National Sheep Improvement Program (NSIP). The objective of this study was to determine the association between the fecal egg count (FEC) EBV of the sire on FEC and the FEC, packed cell volume (PCV), and FAMACHA score at 90 and 120 d of age, and BW at birth, 60, 90, and 120 d of age of offspring. Between 2004 and 2015, data were collected from the ARS Katahdin research flock on 1096 lambs from 25 sires having at least 19 offspring/sire. An average FEC of > 500 eggs/g was required for lambs born in a year and season to be included in the analyses. The EBV of sires was determined by Sheep Genetics (Australia) in July 2016. Data were analyzed by Proc GLM (SAS) and included effects of year, gender, and rearing type (single, twin, triplet) as discrete variables. The post-weaning FEC (PFEC) EBV of the sire and the age of the lamb were fitted as continuous variables. The FEC were log transformed. There was a positive effect of PFEC on FEC and FAMACHA score, and negative effect of PCV on offspring at 90 (P < 0.001, P < 0.02, P < 0.001, respectively) and 120 (P < 0.001 for all variables) d of age. Thus, as PFEC decreased (indicating greater GIN resistance), FEC and FAMACHA decreased and PCV increased. However, as WFEC decreased, BW at birth (P < 0.001), 60 (P < 0.001) and 90 (P < 0.001) d also decreased; no relationship was found at 120 d of age (P = 0.14). There was a significant effect of year, gender, and rearing type in all BW analyses (P < 0.001); year significantly affected all GIN measures; and in some models, gender, rear type and age influenced GIN measures. Genetic resistance to parasite resistance is arguably the best means of GIN control, and can be achieved through selection of sires with favorable EBVs, which reflected lower FEC and higher PCV in offspring.

The objective of this study was to estimate genetic parameters for fecal egg count at weaning (WFEC) and postweaning (PWFEC), and weights at birth (BW), weaning (WW) and postweaning (PWW) in Katahdin lambs by investigating direct additive, maternal additive, maternal permanent environmental and maternal temporary environmental (litter) effects. WFEC (n = 2,537), PWFEC (n = 3,478), BW (n = 12,869), WW (n = 10,961) and PWW (n = 7,812) records of 12,869 Katahdin lambs were available for this study. These records, from 13 different flocks, were collected between 1998 and 2015. Animal models were investigated using the ASReml statistical package. The significance of inclusion of random effects was tested using the Likelihood ratio tests. Fixed effects were dam age, type of birth and rearing, and management group (defined by sex, site and birth year). Lamb age in days at the time of measurement was fitted as a covariate. Litter was a significant (P < 0.01) random effect for BW and WW but not for the other traits. Maternal effects were significant (P < 0.01) for all body weights, but were very small and not significant for fecal egg counts. Depending on the model used, heritability estimates ranged from 0.18 to 0.50 for BW, 0.15 to 0.40 for WW, and 0.16 to 0.40 for PWW. Heritability estimates were 0.24 for WFEC and 0.26 for PWFEC. Preliminary analyses, with less restrictive management groupings, gave higher estimates of heritability for fecal egg count. Bi-variate analyses revealed very low genetic (-0.06 to 0.16) and phenotypic (-0.09 to 0.08) correlations between weights and fecal egg counts. Genetic and phenotypic correlations were, respectively, 0.80 and 0.31 for WWEC and PWWEC; 0.66 and 0.47 for BW and WW; 0.44 and 0.38 for BW and PWW; and 0.89 and 0.82 for WW and PWW. This study revealed an influence of maternal effects on body weights of Katahdin lambs; the inclusion of both permanent and temporary maternal environmental effects may lead to better estimates of breeding values and selection decisions. The low correlations between body weights and fecal egg counts indicate that selection for parasite resistance may not affect genetic potentials for growth.

Prolonged feeding of sericea lespedeza (SL) previously led to reduced serum concentrations of Mo, a cofactor in an enzyme complex that may be involved in weight gain. The current objective was to determine the effect of Mo supplementation on changes in serum, fecal, urine, and liver concentrations of trace minerals in lambs fed SL leaf meal pellets. Thirty ram lambs weaned in May (84 ± 1.5 d of age and 27 ± 1.1 kg; D 0) were blocked by BW, breed type (full or three-fourths Katahdin), and EBV of parasite resistance and randomly assigned to be fed 900 g/d of an alfalfa-based supplement (CON; = 10) or a SL-based supplement ( = 20) for 103 d. Supplements were formulated to be isonitrogenous and isocaloric and to meet trace mineral requirements. Within the SL group, individual lambs were administered either 5 mL water or 5 mL of water with 163.3 mg of sodium molybdate (SLMO). Serum was collected on d 28, 56, and 104; a liver sample was collected by biopsy on d 104 to determine concentrations of trace minerals. Data were analyzed using a mixed model and orthogonal contrasts. Serum concentrations of Mo increased in response to the drench and were greatest in SLMO lambs and then CON lambs and lowest in SL lambs ( < 0.001). Concentrations of Mo in the liver ( < 0.001) were similar between CON and SLMO lambs and were lower in SL lambs than other groups. Serum ( < 0.001) and liver ( = 0.013) concentrations of zinc (Zn) were reduced in both SL and SLMO lambs compared with CON lambs. Serum concentrations of cobalt (Co) increased in CON lambs compared with SL and SLMO lambs between d 0 and 56 but were similar on d 104 (diet × day, < 0.005) as with concentrations in the liver. Serum and liver concentrations of copper (Cu) were greatest ( < 0.001 and < 0.001, respectively) in CON lambs followed by SL lambs and then SLMO lambs. Serum concentrations of selenium (Se) tended ( = 0.10) to be reduced in SL lambs compared with CON and SLMO lambs, but concentrations in the liver were reduced in SL lambs compared with CON lambs and even more so in SLMO lambs ( < 0.003). Although the dietary Mo did increase stores of Mo in the animal and reduced copper, trace minerals associated with metalloproteins-Mo, copper, selenium, and zinc-were reduced in the liver of SL- and/or SLMO-fed lambs. These reductions could be associated with the lower weight gains previously observed after prolonged feeding of SL.

•Pumpkin seed treatments had no effect on parasite infection indicators in meat goat kids and lambs.•Ginger failed as an anthelmintic in meat goat kids.•More research is needed into alternative strategies for parasite control in sheep and goats.

Haemonchus contortus is a major parasite of small ruminants and its blood-feeding behaviour causes effects ranging from mild anaemia to death. Knowledge of the genetic variation within and among H. contortus populations can provide the foundation for understanding transmission patterns and aid in the control of haemonchosis. Adult male H. contortus were collected from three geographical regions in Egypt. The second internal transcribed spacer (ITS2) of nuclear ribosomal DNA was amplified using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequenced directly. The population genetic diversity and sequence variations were determined. Nucleotide sequence analyses revealed one genotype (ITS2) in all worms, without genetic differentiation. The similarity in population genetic diversity and genetic patterns observed among the three geographical regions could be attributed to possible movement between the sites. This is the first study of genetic variation in H. contortus in Egypt. The present results could have implications for the rapid characterization of H. contortus and other trichostrongyloid nematodes, and evaluation of the epidemiology of H. contortus in Egypt.

Gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) parasites are a major constraint to profitable sheep production. The long-term use of anthelmintics has resulted in GIN populations developing resistance to those available. The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of three novel compounds on development and survival of GIN larvae in feces of sheep. Feces were collected directly from the rectum of 10 lambs and combined to make one large sample. This sample was homogenized by thorough mixing by hand and five 2-g subsamples were randomly selected for determination of fecal egg count (FEC) using the McMaster technique. Fifty 5-g subsamples were then randomly selected and individual fecal cultures were made by mixing with an equivalent volume of vermiculite and adding water to make a soft crumbly culture composition. Three novel synthetic compounds (Bedoukian Research, Inc.) similar to natural flavor/fragrance application compounds were diluted 1:10, 1:1,000, and 1:10,000. Five mL of water (control) and each dilution of the compounds were thoroughly mixed with a culture, making 5 replicates/dilution. Cultures were incubated at 27°C for 2 wk, after which, they were processed by a baermann procedure to recover infective larvae (L3). The number of L3 were counted to estimate L3/g of feces. The mean FEC (3530 ± 231) indicated that the GIN eggs were evenly distributed in the homogenized fecal mass, so all subsamples were considered to have equivalent FEC. The control larval recovery was 814 L3/g, and recovery for all the dilutions of the 3 compounds was < 10 L3/g. This indicated very high efficacy of L3 reduction (over 98.7%, P < 0.05). These novel compounds may be a viable treatment to aid in the control of GIN infection by reducing development and survival of larvae in feces, thus reducing pasture infectivity.

Twenty-six stocker cattle (286.1 ± 25.7 kg) were used to quantify the effect of commercial plant tannin extracts (control vs. mimosa and chestnut tannins) on animal performance, gastrointestinal parasites control and plasma metabolite changes in heifers grazing winter wheat forage (Triticum aestivum L. var. “cutter”). The forage biomass and crude protein content were generally similar among treatments. Initial live-weight (LW) was similar among treatments, although final LW (P = 0.1) and average daily gain (ADG; P P Ostertagia was lower (P P P < 0.02) for chestnut tannins group than for control, and intermediate for mimosa tannins. However, cholesterol level was similar among treatment after 20 days cessation of tannins treatments. Our data suggest that heifers grazing winter wheat forage supplemented with plant tannins rather than control (non-tannins group) increased ADG (8% to 19%) for mimosa and chestnut tannins groups, respectively with no detectable detrimental effects on animal health. The increase in ADG may be due to decrease fecal parasites infections.

Artemisia plant genus, natural inhabitant of northern Punjab Pakistan, is well known for its anthelmintic properties; many Artemisia species have not been so far scientifically proved. The aim of this study was to assess in vitro anthelmintic activity of Artemisia indica and Artemisia roxburghiana against mixed infection of gastrointestinal nematodes in small ruminants. This study is first scientifically proven study on anthelmintic activity of A. indica and A. roxburghiana. Five different concentrations (50, 25, 12.5, 6.25 and 3.75 mg/mL) accompanied by negative control (PBS) and positive control (albendazole, 10%) were used to carry out the egg hatch inhibition assay, larval mortality assay and adult worm mortality assay. The Baermann technique was used first time in larval mortality assay and proved to be effective. The results revealed that methanolic extracts of both A. indica and A. roxburghiana, showed maximum anthelmintic activity at concentration of 50 mg/ml by egg hatch inhibition (85±21.2; 80±28.3), larvae mortality (18±2.8; 17±4.2) and adult worm mortality (8.5±2.1; 8±2.8) assays. However, at concentration of 50 mg/ml both plant extracts in comparison to albendazole showed statistically insignificant (p≤0.05) results. The A. indica showed higher anthelmintic activity at all concentrations as compared to A. roburghiana. It has been concluded both plants exhibit anthelmintic activity and further evaluation of these plants should be carried out to purify the active ingredients for anthelmintic activity. Moreover, the decoctions of these plants could be used to GINs after confirming anthelmintic properties through in vivo.

Control of gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) remains a critical issue due to the prevalence of anthelmintic resistance. The objective of the experiment was to determine the efficacy of copper oxide wire particles (COWP) from three commercial sources and a combination of COWP and albendazole to control GIN and/or Haemonchus contortus in lambs. Naturally infected Katahdin lambs in early June 2014 and 2015 were randomly assigned to receive no COWP (CON; n=9 and 12) or 2g COWP in a gel capsule as Copasure(®) (COP; n=4 and 17; Animax Ltd.), copper oxide-wire form (AUS; n=7 in 2014 only; Pharmplex), Ultracruz™ (ULT; n=8 and 15; Santa Cruz Animal Health™), no COWP and albendazole (CON+alb; n=10 in 2015 only; 15mg/kg BW; Valbazen(®); Zoetis Animal Health), or COWP+alb (n=7 and 11; in 2014, lambs were administered alb on day 3). Lambs grazed grass pastures as a group and were supplemented with 227g/lamb daily of a commercial grain mix (15% crude protein) and the same amount of alfalfa pellets. Feces were collected on days 0 (day of COWP treatment), 7, and 14 for determination of fecal egg counts (FEC). Pooled (2014) or pooled treatment group feces were cultured on days 0, 7, and 14 (2015 only) to determine GIN genera. Data were analyzed using repeated measures in a mixed model, and FEC were log transformed. The predominant GIN on day 0 was H. contortus (87%) in 2014, and there was a mixed population in 2015. The mean FEC was reduced by day 7 in AUS and ULT lambs (treatment×day, P=0.001), and all of the COWP products were similar. By day 14, the AUS FEC were lower than the CON and COP groups. When examining the combination of COWP and synthetic anthelmintic, the FEC of COWP+alb were reduced to nearly 0eggs/g (back-transformed) and lower than the other groups (treatment×day, P=0.001). The percentage of H. contortus in cultured feces was reduced to a greater extent in the COWP than CON or CON+alb groups of lambs. In a mixed GIN population, the COWP products appeared to be similar in efficacy and using a combination of COWP+alb increased the efficacy not only against H. contortus, but all GIN genera present, offering options in the face of resistance to benzimidazoles.

Sericea lespedeza (SL; Lespedeza cuneata) is a legume rich in condensed tannins that can be grazed or fed to small ruminants for parasite control. Condensed tannins, a secondary plant compound in SL, may lead to unintended consequences such as changes in production. In our preliminary research, there was consistently a reduction in serum and liver concentrations of Mo. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of SL with or without Mo supplementation on changes in BW, hematology, and serum biochemistry in lambs. Thirty ram lambs weaned in May (84 ± 1.5 d of age; 27 ± 1.1 kg) were blocked by BW, breed type (full or three-fourths Katahdin), and EBV of parasite resistance and randomly assigned to be fed 900 g of alfalfa-based supplement (CON; n = 10) or SL-based supplement (n = 20) for 103 d. Supplements were formulated to be isonitrogenous and isocaloric and to meet trace mineral requirements. Within the SL diet, half of the lambs received 490 mg sodium molybdate weekly (SLMO). Body condition scores and BW were determined every 14 d and blood and feces collected to determine hematological and serum biochemical profiles and fecal egg counts (FEC). Data were analyzed using a mixed model with repeated measures and orthogonal contrasts. The white blood cell counts tended to be reduced in SL- and SLMO-fed lambs compared with CON-fed lambs (P < 0.06), which was associated with a reduction in neutrophils (P < 0.001). Red blood cell counts were also reduced in SL but not SLMO lambs compared with CON lambs (P < 0.04). There was a reduction in blood packed cell volume (P < 0.04) and serum concentrations of albumin (P < 0.001) and creatinine (P < 0.02) in both SL and SLMO lambs compared with CON lambs. Similarly, concentrations of blood urea nitrogen were reduced in both SL and SLMO lambs, but differences among dietary treatments disappeared after 42 d of feeding (treatment × day, P < 0.004). Serum concentrations of total proteins were reduced only in SLMO lambs compared with other lambs (P < 0.001). Body weight and FEC were similar among dietary treatments. Means of all measurements were within a normal range, even though there were subtle but significant differences between dietary groups. Feeding a diet high in condensed tannin-rich SL did not lead to serious effects on hematology or serum biochemistry in lambs.