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The effect of nutrition on nematode faecal egg output in lactating, organically managed ewes

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 November 2017

R. Keatinge ,
J.G.M. Houdijk ,
F. Jackson  and
I. Kyriazakis
R. Keatinge
Affiliation:
ADAS Redesdale, Rochester, Otterburn, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE19 1SB
J.G.M. Houdijk
Affiliation:
Animal Nutrition and Health Department, Scottish Agricultural College, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JG, UK
F. Jackson
Affiliation:
Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik EH26 0PZ, UK
I. Kyriazakis
Affiliation:
Animal Nutrition and Health Department, Scottish Agricultural College, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JG, UK
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Extract

Nematodes are a particular challenge to animal health and productivity in organic sheep systems, where the prophyllactic use of anthelmintic is prohibited. The peri-parturient rise in faecal egg output, a consequence of relaxation of host immunity in late pregnancy and early lactation, is potentially a key factor in the epidemiology of parasitic gastro-enteritis on organic sheep farms. Coop and Kyriazakis (1999) developed a hypothesis to explain the relationship between nutrition and periparturient breakdown of immunity to parasites, and there is now an increasing body of evidence for the involvement of dietary protein (Houdijk et al 2001). The objective of this study was to test this hypothesis in organically managed ewes carrying a mixed, naturally acquired infection, grazing on grass/clover in early lactation, and to examine the potential for a nutritional approach to parasite control in commercial practice.

Type
ISAE
Information
Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Science , Volume 2003 , 2003 , pp. 29
Copyright
Copyright © The British Society of Animal Science 2003

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References

Coop, R.L. and Kyriazakis, I., 1999. Nutrition-parasite interaction. Veterinary Parasitology 84: 187–204.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Houdijk, J.G.M., Jessop, N.S. and Kyriazakis, I., 2001. Nutrient partitioning between reproductive and immune functions in animals. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society 60: 515–525.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed