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Effects of metabolizable protein on performance and faecal egg count of the parasitized ewe

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 November 2017

J.G.M. Houdijk ,
I. Kyriazakis ,
R.L. Coop  and
F. Jackson
J.G.M. Houdijk
Affiliation:
Animal Biology Division, Scottish Agricultural College, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JG, UK
I. Kyriazakis
Affiliation:
Animal Biology Division, Scottish Agricultural College, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JG, UK
R.L. Coop
Affiliation:
Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik EH26 0PZ, UK
F. Jackson
Affiliation:
Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik EH26 0PZ, UK
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Extract

The periparturient relaxation (PPR) in acquired immunity in ewes has been ascribed to various factors, including poor nutrition (Barger, 1993). Clinically, the faecal egg count (FEC) may increase during PPR when the ewe is continuously infected with gastrointestinal parasites. As such, the periparturient ewe plays an important role in the epidemiology of parasitic infections. The nutritional basis of PPR probably includes metabolizable protein (MP), since host's responses, in terms of immunity and resilience, are highly proteinaceous by nature. We propose that the PPR directly results from less MP being available to maintain acquired immunity and resilience, since an increasing amount of MP is directed to bodily functions with higher priority (reproduction). It is hypothesized that the increased FEC in the parasitized periparturient ewe reduces if her MP-intake exceeds her assumed MP-requirement (AFRC, 1993).

Type
Programme
Information
Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Science , Volume 1999 , 1999 , pp. 17
Copyright
Copyright © The British Society of Animal Science 1999

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References

Barger, I.A. 1993. Influence of sex and reproductive status on susceptibility of ruminants to nematode parasitism. International Journal for Parasitology 23: 463–469 Google Scholar
AFRC, 1993. Energy and Protein Requirements of Ruminants. CAB International, Wallingford.Google Scholar