In vitro larvicidal effect of a hydroalcoholic extract from Acacia cochliacantha leaf against ruminant parasitic nematodes

Larvicidal effect was evaluated using acacia cochliacantha leafThe aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro lethal effect of a hydroalcoholic extract (HAE) from Acacia cochliacantha leaf against three gastrointestinal nematodes species (Haemonchus contortus, H. placei and Cooperiapunctata) of domestic ruminants. The HAE was assessed using five concentrations: 100, 125, 175, 150 and 200 mg/ml; 0.5% Ivermectin was used as a positive control and distilled water, as negative control. The data were normalized using the square root and analysed with a completely randomized design through ANOVA analysis using the general linealmodel (GLM) of the SAS program. The HAE tannin conten was determined through spectrophotometry (UV-visible) and the other major phenols, were identified by chromatographic processes. The results showed an in vitro larvicidal activity of the HAE against the three assessed nematode species with all assessed concentrations. A clear HAE increased concentration dependence effect was observed. The highest activity of the HAE was obtained at the highest concentration (close to 100%, P < 0.05). This result was similar to the one obtained with Ivermectin. On the other hand, the chemical analysis of HAE showed the presence of tannins, caffeoyls and coumaroyl derivates and quercetin as the main compounds. The results suggest that the HAE from this plant species pos- sess in vitro anthelmintic properties. The identified com- pounds in this study would good candidates for further in vivo researches.This study received financial support from CONACYT-Mexico (Project number 251244), INIFAP (Project number 9454133183, through the Researcher Retaining Program)

Effect of selective anthelmintic treatments on health and production parameters in Pelibuey ewes during lactation

A study was conducted from December to April 2013, with the aim of evaluating a system of selective antiparasitic treatments using the FAMACHA© color chart compared with a conventional suppressive deworming system every 30 days in Pelibuey ewes during lactation. For the study, 54 ewes were used. They were randomly divided into two groups: FAMACHA and chemical treatments. The ewes in the first group received selective treatment depending on the ocular mucosa coloration (FAMACHA) and body condition score (BCS), while in the second group (chemical) all the animals remained under routine deworming every 30 days. Fecal nematode egg counts, proportion of third-stage trichostrongylid larvae, body condition, coloration of the ocular mucosa, and packed cell volume in the ewes were determined, while in lambs only body weight (BW) was recorded. No significant differences (p>0.05) were observed in any of the studied variables between groups; however, the use of antiparasitic drugs was reduced during the experimental period in the FAMACHA group and no deaths of lambs or ewes were recorded. The results indicate that during the lactation of ewes, a strategy of selective treatments can be implemented without showing deterioration in major health and productive parameters of these animals.cub

Nutraceutic effect of free condensed tannins of lysiloma acapulcensis (kunth) benth on parasite infection and performance of pelibuey sheep

Abstract Forty-five Pelibuey sheep were experimentally infested with nematodes to evaluate the effect of three free condensed tannin (FCT) levels of Lysiloma acapulcensis on fecal egg counts (FECs), packed cell volumes (PCV), ocular mucosa colors (OMC), average daily gain (ADG), and adult nematode count. Five treatments were used: 12.5, 25.0, and 37.5 mg of FCT kg−1 of body weight (BW); sterile water (control); and ivermectine (0.22 mg kg−1 of BW) as chemical group. The data were processed through repeated measure- ment analysis. Even though the three FCT doses decreased (P < 0.05) the FEC, the highest reduction was obtained with 37.5 mg kg−1 of BW. No differences were observed in PCV and OMC. Higher ADG (P < 0.05) was observed with 37.5 mg kg−1 of BW of FCT. The count of adult nematodes (females and males) in the higher dose of FCT was similar to chemical treatment. Dose of 37.5 mg kg−1 of BW decreased the parasite infection and improved the lamb performance. Therefore, this dose could be used as a nutraceutic product in sheep production.This work was undertaken with funds from the Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México (Project UAEM 1026/2014RIFC). Our gratitude also goes to the Mexican National Council for Science and Technology (CONACYT) for the grant received by Cesar García Hernández

Experience in the implementation of agroforestry technologies for rearing small ruminants in Cuba

Experience in the implementation of agroforestry technologies for rearing small ruminants in Cuba. International Symposium FIL-IDF ‘The Future of the Sheep and Goat Dairy Sectors

Various condensed tannins from tropical plants. Potential multipurpose nutraceutics in ruminant feed

Condensed tannins (CT) are bio-reactive complex plant secondary metabolites. Protein-CT complexes could result in affection of rumen fermentation, allow availability of amino-acids and induce a gastrointestinal nematicidal action in ruminants. In this study 5 tropical plants were evaluated to provide some natural multi-active nutraceutics to animal production. The CT composition of plants was quantified and elucidated using vanillin-H2S04 assay and LC-MS analysis. CT extracts were assayed for bioactivity against the exsheathment of the nematode Haemonchus contortus, and fermentation profiles of plants (CH4 and NH3-N produced, organic matter digestibility (OMD)) were determined in vitro. Thiolysis analysis showed that CT extracts contained from 1.7 to 59 g of CT per 100g. mDP ranged from 3.3 to 15.3, PC/PD ratios from 0 to 10.7, cis/trans flavan-3-ol ratios from 1.7 to 24.7, and galloyl groups from 0 to 37.4 %. CT had a high effect (p<0.001) on nematicidal activity and fermentation profile.The complexity of composition of CT in tropical plants and their multipurpose potential for animal production were highlighted. It seems that CT chemical composition may influence bio-reactivity and neutracutical feed value

Mobilizing tropical plants as a sustainable alternative to the issue of anthelmintic resistance in small ruminants

International audienc

Partial or total replacement of commercial concentrate with on-farm-grown mulberry forage: effects on lamb growth and feeding costs

Replacing commercial concentrate with mulberry foliage was evaluated in a feeding trial lasting 126 days. Forty-eight weaned male Pelibuey lambs (20.6 ± 0.80 kg of BW) were randomly allocated to four groups: (1) supplementing the basal diet with mulberry at 1% (DM basis; M-1), (2) mulberry at 0.75% plus 0.1 kg concentrate fresh matter basis (M-0.75), (3) mulberry at 0.50% plus 0.2 kg concentrate (M-0.50) and (4) basal diet plus 0.3 kg concentrate (control; M-0). During the first 90 days, the basal diet was Pennisetum purpureum forage which was substituted by a mixture of guinea grass and sugarcane from 90 days. Average daily gain (ADG, g/day), dry matter intake (DMI) and feed conversion rate (FCR; DMI/ADG) were determined. The ADG was affected (P < 0.01) by the diet, with the lowest obtained in M-1 lambs (71 ± 6.4 g/day), whereas no differences among the other groups were observed (94 ± 6.4 g DM/lamb). The DMI was higher (P < 0.01) in M-0 (937 g DM/lamb) which concomitantly affected differences in FCR (11.9, 9.9, 10.5 and 9.7 kg DMI/kg BW gain for M-1, M-0.75, M-0.50 and M-0 lambs, respectively). Final BW at slaughtering and hot or cold carcass yields were coherent with growth rate findings. Biological yield (cold carcass weight/empty BW) was higher (P < 0.01) in M-0.75. Without compromising animal productivity, replacing imported concentrate with mulberry reduced the feeding cost. Optimum results were obtained with M-75 diet. Further studies must be conducted for optimizing energy/protein ratios with different ingredients while increasing DMI and lamb growth rates in this tropical genotype

The epizootiology of ovine gastrointestinal strongyles in the province of Matanzas, Cuba

International audienceThe gastrointestinal parasitism in Cuba threatens sheep exploitation programs and their control practices rely mainly in the indiscriminate use of anthelmitics. The study was carried out for 2 years (2000–2002) in three ovine farms in Matanzas Province (Dos Mercedes, LABIOFAM and the EEPF “Indio Hatuey” farm) which are representative of sheep industry in the province. Faeces and grass were collected monthly for parasitological analysis in the three units. The ewes body condition score (BCS) were recorded each month based on a five points scale. The three herds were mainly affected by Haemonchus spp. and to a lesser extent by Trichostrongylus colubriformis and Oesophagostomum columbianum. The faecal egg count (FECs) increased during the dry season, while the L3 pasture infestation decreased in this season, reaching the highest values during the rainy season. The relationship between the animal category and the FECs depends on the management system. The ewe reproductive status was related with FEC in which lactating ewes are more susceptible to parasite infection