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Physiological, Immunological and Genetic Factors in the Resistance and Susceptibility to Gastrointestinal Nematodes of Sheep in the Peripartum Period: A Review. Helminthologia 2021; 58:134-151. [PMID: 34248374 PMCID: PMC8256458 DOI: 10.2478/helm-2021-0020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Parasitic diseases of sheep involving gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) are one of the main problems that affect fl ock productivity, especially during the peripartum period. Around lambing, the ewes are immunosuppressed and the nematode faecal egg count (FEC) increases at four weeks before lambing, reaching a peak between the fourth and sixth week postpartum and subsequently decreasing towards weaning. Prolactin has been credited with a suppressive effect on immune system, along with other hormones that intervene in metabolism, such as leptin, which has an important role in the activation of other hormones. Cortisol has also been included; this is stimulated by any stressful event and inhibits the proliferation of T-cells and alters the function of immunoglobulins. Another related hormone is pepsinogen, which is considered a marker of the integrity of the abomasum mucosa, as well as the albumin concentration that increases in the presence of a GIN infection. The humoral and cellular immune response, as well as inflammatory reactions, are the main mechanisms of action against GIN. Lymphocytes direct the effector mechanisms in a Th2 cell response, including interleukins (IL-4, IL-5, IL-9, IL-10) and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) together with immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG, IgM and IgE), which prevent the invasion of pathogens. Eosinophils with a cytotoxic effect are indicators of a parasitic infection, with importance in the immune protection of infected individuals. The genetic selection of resistant individuals measured by FEC is dependent on the heritability (h2), which is moderately inheritable and highly repeatable. Effects that influence the resistance or susceptibility of sheep to GIN infections in the peripartum period are determined by the interaction of various factors, such as genotype or breed, nutrition, age, type of birth, season and production system, etc., which are studied in this review.
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Hayward AD, Pilkington JG, Wilson K, McNeilly TN, Watt KA. Reproductive effort influences intra‐seasonal variation in parasite‐specific antibody responses in wild Soay sheep. Funct Ecol 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.13330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Adam D. Hayward
- Moredun Research Institute Penicuik UK
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences University of Stirling Stirling UK
| | | | - Kenneth Wilson
- Lancaster Environment Centre Lancaster University Lancaster UK
| | | | - Kathryn A. Watt
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology Ashworth Laboratories Edinburgh UK
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Leivesley JA, Bussière LF, Pemberton JM, Pilkington JG, Wilson K, Hayward AD. Survival costs of reproduction are mediated by parasite infection in wild Soay sheep. Ecol Lett 2019; 22:1203-1213. [PMID: 31111651 DOI: 10.1111/ele.13275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2019] [Revised: 04/08/2019] [Accepted: 04/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
A trade-off between current and future fitness potentially explains variation in life-history strategies. A proposed mechanism behind this is parasite-mediated reproductive costs: individuals that allocate more resources to reproduction have fewer to allocate to defence against parasites, reducing future fitness. We examined how reproduction influenced faecal egg counts (FEC) of strongyle nematodes using data collected between 1989 and 2008 from a wild population of Soay sheep in the St. Kilda archipelago, Scotland (741 individuals). Increased reproduction was associated with increased FEC during the lambing season: females that gave birth, and particularly those that weaned a lamb, had higher FEC than females that failed to reproduce. Structural equation modelling revealed future reproductive costs: a positive effect of reproduction on spring FEC and a negative effect on summer body weight were negatively associated with overwinter survival. Overall, we provide evidence that parasite resistance and body weight are important mediators of survival costs of reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica A Leivesley
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA, UK
| | - Luc F Bussière
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA, UK
| | - Josephine M Pemberton
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology, University of Edinburgh, Ashworth Laboratories, Charlotte Auerbach Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3FL, UK
| | - Jill G Pilkington
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology, University of Edinburgh, Ashworth Laboratories, Charlotte Auerbach Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3FL, UK.,School of Biology, University of St Andrews, Sir Harold Mitchell Building, St Andrews, KY16 9TF, UK
| | - Kenneth Wilson
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4YQ, UK
| | - Adam D Hayward
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA, UK
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Abstract
Helminth infections have large negative impacts on production efficiency in ruminant farming systems worldwide, and their effective management is essential if livestock production is to increase to meet future human needs for dietary protein. The control of helminths relies heavily on routine use of chemotherapeutics, but this approach is unsustainable as resistance to anthelmintic drugs is widespread and increasing. At the same time, infection patterns are being altered by changes in climate, land-use and farming practices. Future farms will need to adopt more efficient, robust and sustainable control methods, integrating ongoing scientific advances. Here, we present a vision of helminth control in farmed ruminants by 2030, bringing to bear progress in: (1) diagnostic tools, (2) innovative control approaches based on vaccines and selective breeding, (3) anthelmintics, by sustainable use of existing products and potentially new compounds, and (4) rational integration of future control practices. In this review, we identify the technical advances that we believe will place new tools in the hands of animal health decision makers in 2030, to enhance their options for control and allow them to achieve a more integrated and sustainable approach to helminth control in support of animal welfare and production.
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Fernandes LH, Catto JB, Reis FA, Feijó GLD, Guimarães NGP, Costa JAAD. RESISTÊNCIA À VERMINOSE E SUPLEMENTAÇÃO PROTEICA NO PERIPARTO: EFEITO NO PARASITISMO E NO DESEMPENHO REPRODUTIVO DE OVELHAS DO GRUPAMENTO RACIAL PANTANEIRO. CIÊNCIA ANIMAL BRASILEIRA 2017. [DOI: 10.1590/1089-6891v18e-41627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Resumo Os objetivos do trabalho foram avaliar o efeito do grau de resistência à verminose e da suplementação proteica nos índices reprodutivos e no parasitismo em ovelhas do grupamento racial Pantaneiro. As ovelhas foram classificadas pelo número de ovos de nematodas por grama de fezes (OPG) como resistentes (RR), sensíveis (SS) e intermediárias (RS), e submetidas (SUPL) ou não (NSUPL) à suplementação durante o terço final da gestação e na lactação. Em dois ciclos reprodutivos, a cada 28 dias, as ovelhas foram pesadas e tratadas com anti-helmínticos quando o OPG apresentava-se ≥ 4000. O peso das ovelhas não foi influenciado pelo grau de resistência aos nematódeos e a suplementação teve efeito no peso somente no período em que foi ofertada. As taxas de natalidade e de desmame não foram influenciadas pelo grau de resistência e pela suplementação. A taxa de mortalidade de crias foi menor no grupo SUPL. A taxa de mortalidade de ovelhas foi três vezes mais elevada no grupo SS em relação ao grupo RR e o peso das crias foi menor no grupo SS em relação aos grupos RR e RS. Os três grupos mostraram picos no OPG durante o terço final da gestação, mas as médias foram sempre menores no grupo RR que, no geral, necessitaram 2,5 vezes menos tratamentos anti-helmínticos que as SS. A suplementação não apresentou correlação com o OPG e com o número de tratamentos anti-helmínticos. A classificação de ovelhas pelo OPG em resistentes aos nematodas proporcionou menor número de tratamentos anti-helmínticos, menor taxa de mortalidade de ovelhas e peso maior das crias ao nascimento.
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Houdijk J, Tolkamp B, Rooke J, Hutchings M. Animal health and greenhouse gas intensity: the paradox of periparturient parasitism. Int J Parasitol 2017; 47:633-641. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2017.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2016] [Revised: 03/21/2017] [Accepted: 03/24/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Sebastiano RS, Sweeney T, Keady TWJ, Hanrahan JP, Good B. Can the amount of digestible undegraded protein offered to ewes in late pregnancy affect the periparturient change in resistance to gastrointestinal nematodes? Vet Parasitol 2017; 235:8-16. [PMID: 28215873 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2016.12.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2016] [Revised: 12/20/2016] [Accepted: 12/24/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Ewes experience a temporary decline in resistance to gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) during the periparturient period, characterised by a rise in faecal egg count (FEC) that represents a major source of pasture contamination for naïve progeny. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of level of supplementation with digestible undegraded protein (DUP) during the last 6 weeks of pregnancy on periparturient FEC and the performance of ewes with a naturally acquired parasite infection. Eighty-five Belclare and Belclare x Scottish Blackface twin/triplet-bearing ewes were allocated to 1 of 4 dietary groups representing the combination of 2 concentrates (DUP concentration 29 and 94g/kg dry matter) with 2 levels of concentrate during the final 6 weeks of gestation (18 and 30kg in total for ewes with twins; 24 and 35kg for ewes with triplets). All ewes were housed during the pre-partum feeding period and offered grass silage ad libitum; food intake was recorded daily. The intake of DUP varied from 26 to 72g/d among treatments and was reflected in variation of 0.76 to 1.20 in metabolizable protein supply as a proportion of requirements. After lambing, ewes and lambs grazed on permanent sheep pasture, without concentrate supplementation, until weaning (14 weeks post lambing). The variables studied, from week 6 pre-lambing up to week 10 post-lambing, included: FEC, serum pepsinogen concentration, body weight (BW) and body condition score (BCS). The effect of week (relative to lambing date) on FEC was highly significant (P<0.001). However, diet did not influence FEC (P>0.05) at any stage either pre- or post-partum. Pepsinogen concentration also varied with time but was not influenced by dietary treatment (P>0.05). The changes in BW and BCS from 6 weeks before lambing to weaning were not affected by the concentration of DUP in the supplement but ewes on treatments involving the higher level of supplementation lost less BW and BCS (P<0.001). The results of this study indicate that the level of DUP supplementation during the last 6 weeks of pregnancy does not affect FEC, BW or BCS of housed ewes with a naturally acquired GIN infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rocco S Sebastiano
- School of Veterinary Medicine University College, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
| | - Torres Sweeney
- School of Veterinary Medicine University College, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
| | - Timothy W J Keady
- Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Athenry, Co. Galway, Ireland.
| | - James P Hanrahan
- Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Athenry, Co. Galway, Ireland.
| | - Barbara Good
- Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Athenry, Co. Galway, Ireland.
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Protection of ewes against Teladorsagia circumcincta infection in the periparturient period by vaccination with recombinant antigens. Vet Parasitol 2016; 228:130-136. [PMID: 27692315 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2016.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2016] [Revised: 09/01/2016] [Accepted: 09/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Teladorsagiosis is a major production-limiting disease in ruminants in temperate regions throughout the world and one of the key interventions in the management of the disease is the prevention of pasture contamination with Teladorsagia circumcincta eggs by ewes during the periparturient relaxation in immunity which occurs in the period around lambing. Here, we describe the immunisation of twin-bearing ewes with a T. circumcincta recombinant subunit vaccine and the impact that vaccination has on their immune responses and shedding of parasite eggs during a continuous T. circumcincta challenge period spanning late gestation and lactation. In ewes which displayed a clear periparturient relaxation in immunity, vaccination resulted in a 45% reduction in mean cumulative faecal egg count (cFEC, p=0.027) compared to control (immunised with adjuvant only) ewes. Recombinant antigen-specific IgG and IgA, which bound each of the vaccine antigens, were detected in the serum of vaccinated ewes following each immunisation and in colostrum taken from vaccinated ewes post-partum whereas low levels of antigen-specific IgG were detected in serum and colostrum from control ewes. Antigen-specific IgG and IgA levels in blood collected within 48h of birth from lambs largely reflected those in the colostrum of their ewes.
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Vadlejch J, Kotrba R, Čadková Z, Růžičková A, Langrová I. Effects of age, sex, lactation and social dominance on faecal egg count patterns of gastrointestinal nematodes in farmed eland (Taurotragus oryx). Prev Vet Med 2015; 121:265-72. [PMID: 26277201 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2015.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2015] [Revised: 06/12/2015] [Accepted: 07/21/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The eland is a large African antelope that can be bred in a temperate climate, under similar conditions and production systems as cattle. However, knowledge of parasites in farmed elands outside the area of their native habitat is still limited, and information concerning factors that influence these parasites is lacking. Therefore, faecal samples from an entire herd of elands, including calves and adult females and males, were examined monthly over a one year period. Almost 84% of the animals were found to be positive for gastrointestinal nematodes. Strongyle-type eggs were most frequently detected (prevalence 75%), followed by Capillaria sp., Nematodirus sp. and Trichuris sp. eggs. Following culturing eggs to infective larvae, Teladorsagia sp., Trichostrongylus sp., Nematodirus sp., Cooperia sp. and Oesophagostomum sp. were identified. Following necropsy of two calves that died during the study one abomasal nematode (Teladorsagia circumcincta), five small intestinal nematode species (Nematodirus helvetianus, N. spathiger, Cooperia oncophora, C. curticei and Capillaria bovis) and two large intestinal nematodes (Oesophagostomum venulosum and Trichuris ovis) were recovered. From these findings, it is evident that the eland harbours nematodes that are typical for domestic cattle and small ruminants. Morphological and morphometric analyses of recovered nematodes revealed that these parasites do not require any special morphological adaptation to establish infection in elands. The faecal output of strongyle-type and Nematodirus sp. eggs was seasonal, with the highest egg production taking place during spring and summer. Calves had higher faecal egg counts (for all the monitored nematode species) than adults did. Lactation in females was significantly (P<0.0001) associated with higher strongyle nematode egg shedding. Social dominance also affected faecal egg count patterns. The lower the hierarchical position among adults (regardless of sex), the higher the risk of nematode infection. This effect was evident for strongyles (P<0.0001) and Capillaria sp. nematodes (P=0.0065). The results of our study suggest that control measures applicable in domestic cattle and small ruminants might be similarly applicable for controlling gastrointestinal nematode infections in captive farmed elands.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Vadlejch
- Department of Zoology and Fisheries, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 957, 165 21 Prague 6, Suchdol, Czech Republic.
| | - R Kotrba
- Department of Animal Sciences and Food Processing, Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 21 Prague 6, Suchdol, Czech Republic
| | - Z Čadková
- Department of Zoology and Fisheries, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 957, 165 21 Prague 6, Suchdol, Czech Republic
| | - A Růžičková
- Department of Animal Sciences and Food Processing, Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 21 Prague 6, Suchdol, Czech Republic
| | - I Langrová
- Department of Zoology and Fisheries, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 957, 165 21 Prague 6, Suchdol, Czech Republic
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Szyszka O, Kyriazakis I. What is the relationship between level of infection and ‘sickness behaviour’ in cattle? Appl Anim Behav Sci 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2013.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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Werne S, Perler E, Maurer V, Probst J, Hoste H, Drewek A, Heckendorn F. Effect of sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia) and faba bean (Vicia faba) on the periparturient rise in ewes infected with gastrointestinal nematodes. Small Rumin Res 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.smallrumres.2013.03.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Min BR, Solaiman S, Gurung N, Behrends J, Eun JS, Taha E, Rose J. Effects of pine bark supplementation on performance, rumen fermentation, and carcass characteristics of Kiko crossbred male goats. J Anim Sci 2012; 90:3556-67. [PMID: 22851241 DOI: 10.2527/jas.2011-4931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Twenty-two Kiko crossbred male goats (Capra hircus; initial BW = 27.5 ± 1.04 kg) were used in a randomized complete block design to determine the effects of feeding pine bark (PB; Pinus taeda L.) on animal performance, rumen fermentation, blood parameters, fecal egg counts (FEC), and carcass characteristics in goats. Experimental treatments included the control diet [0% PB plus 30% wheat straw (WS)], 15% PB plus 15% WS, and 30% PB plus 0% WS (on as-fed basis), where PB replaced WS. Freshly air-dried PB and WS were finely (1.5 to 3.0 mm) ground and incorporated in the grain mixes. Experimental diets provided a total of 1.9, 16.3, and 32 g of condense tannins (CT)/kg DM in 0%, 15%, and 30% PB diets, respectively. The grain mixes were fed daily at 85% of the feed offered, with remaining 15% consisting of Bermuda grass hay (Cynodon dactylon). Animals were fed once a day at 0800 h, and feed offered and refused was monitored for an 83-d performance period. Rumen and blood samples were collected at d 0, 50, and 80 of the study. Carcass traits were assessed after slaughter at the end of performance period. There was no difference in initial BW, hay, and total NDF intake among treatments; however, final BW (P = 0.06), ADG (P < 0.01), grain mix intake (P < 0.001), total DMI (P < 0.001), and G:F (P < 0.04) increased linearly as the PB increased in the diets. Rumen ammonia N, acetate, isovalerate and acetate-to-propionate ratio were reduced linearly (P < 0.05). There was no difference in carcass traits except cold carcass weight (P = 0.06), which tended to increase linearly in goats fed 15% and 30% PB. Breast, sirloin, trim trait, liver, and hide weight increased (linear; P < 0.01) with addition of PB. Blood basophils, alanine transaminase, aspartate aminotransferase, albumin, Na, and Cl concentrations decreased (linear; P < 0.02 to 0.01) as PB supplementation increased. Supplementation of PB reduced (linear; P < 0.01) average FEC. Addition of PB in the diets improved performance, reduced FEC, and favorably modified rumen fermentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- B R Min
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, AL 36088, USA
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Sakkas P, Houdijk JGM, Athanasiadou S, Kyriazakis I. Sensitivity of periparturient breakdown of immunity to parasites to dietary protein source. J Anim Sci 2012; 90:3954-62. [PMID: 22665670 DOI: 10.2527/jas.2011-4829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Effects of increased MP supply on the degree of periparturient relaxation of immunity (PPRI) in sheep may be dependent on quality of supplied MP. Here we tested the hypothesis that additional MP supply from rations based on xylose-treated soybean meal would be more effective than from rations based on faba beans in reducing the degree of PPRI, as indicated by nematode egg excretion. Twenty-four multiple-bearing ewes were trickle infected with Teladorsagia circumcincta larvae from d -56 to d 31 relative to start of lactation (d 0). From d -26 onwards, ewes were fed at either 0.8 (LP) or at 1.2 times their respective calculated MP requirements using either xylose-treated soybean (HPS) or faba beans (HPB). Litter size was adjusted to 2 lambs at parturition. Feeding treatments did not affect nematode egg excretion, ewe BW or BCS during late pregnancy (P > 0.10), but HPS and HPB ewes had reduced plasma pepsinogen concentrations (P = 0.003). During lactation, HPS and HPB feeding increased ewe BW gain (P < 0.001) and BCS (P = 0.017), and reduced plasma pepsinogen concentrations (P = 0.008) to the same extent, compared with LP feeding. However, only HPS feeding increased litter weight gain (P = 0.017) and reduced nematode egg excretion (P = 0.015), which were both similar between HPB and LP (P > 0.10). The results support the view that extra MP supply from xylose-treated soybean based rations is more effective in reducing parasitism than MP from faba bean-based rations, suggesting that protein source and/or quality are important factors to consider for the nutritional control of parasitism.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Sakkas
- Animal Health, Scottish Agricultural College, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JG, UK
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Houdijk JGM, Kyriazakis I, Kidane A, Athanasiadou S. Manipulating small ruminant parasite epidemiology through the combination of nutritional strategies. Vet Parasitol 2012; 186:38-50. [PMID: 22154256 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2011.11.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
It is increasingly being recognized that non-chemical parasite control strategies may need to be combined to control more effectively gastrointestinal parasitism, result in resilient production systems and reduce reliance on anthelmintics. Here, we consider if and how metabolizable protein (MP) supplementation and anti-parasitic plant secondary metabolites (PSM) may modulate parasite epidemiology through intervention in pasture contamination, development of infection on pasture and larval challenge as target processes. We then propose that combining two or more non-chemical parasite control strategies may have additive effects on host resistance, especially if the individual strategies target different drivers of parasite epidemiology, different processes in the parasite life cycle or different phases of acquired immunity to parasites. This epidemiological framework is used to review recent findings on combining maternal MP supplementation and grazing the PSM-rich bioactive forage chicory as an example of combining nutritional treatments to manipulate parasite epidemiology in a temperate production system. In the absence of available data for combined nutritional strategies in tropical production systems, we make predictions on the consequences of combining such strategies in these systems. We conclude that currently published studies on combining nutritional strategies under temperate conditions show potential to improve additively host resilience and reduce reliance on anthelmintics; however, effects on epidemiology have to date not shown the additive results hypothesized. The framework developed may assist further in evaluating combined (nutritional) strategies to manipulate parasite epidemiology.
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Interactive effects of protein nutrition, genetic growth potential and Heligmosomoides bakeri infection pressure on resilience and resistance in mice. Parasitology 2011; 138:1305-15. [PMID: 21767435 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182011000990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
The ability of animals to cope with an increasing parasite load, in terms of resilience and resistance, may be affected by both nutrient supply and demand. Here, we hypothesized that host nutrition and growth potential interact and influence the ability of mice to cope with different parasite doses. Mice selected for high (ROH) or low (ROL) body weight were fed a low (40 g/kg; LP) or high (230 g/kg; HP) protein diet and infected with 0, 50, 100, 150, 200 or 250 L3 infective Heligmosomoides bakeri larvae. ROH-LP mice grew less at doses of 150 L3 and above, whilst growth of ROH-HP and of ROL mice was not affected by infection pressure. Total worm burdens reached a plateau at doses of 150L3, whilst ROH mice excreted fewer worm eggs than ROL mice. Serum antibodies increased with infection dose and ROH mice were found to have higher parasite-specific IgG1 titres than ROL mice. In contrast, ROL had higher total IgE titres than ROH mice, only on HP diets. The interaction between host nutrition and growth potential appears to differentially affect resilience and resistance in mice. However, the results support the view that parasitism penalises performance in animals selected for higher growth.
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Nutritional sensitivity of periparturient resistance to nematode parasites in two breeds of sheep with different nutrient demands. Br J Nutr 2010; 104:1477-86. [PMID: 20691124 DOI: 10.1017/s0007114510002503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The periparturient relaxation of immunity (PPRI) to parasites in mammals is sensitive to both metabolisable protein (MP) supply and animal genotype (different reproductive outputs). We tested the hypothesis that the sensitivity of PPRI to MP scarcity would not differ between different levels of reproductive output when nutrient intake is adjusted for associated differences in MP demand; this hypothesis assumes that PPRI has a nutritional basis only. Scottish Blackface (BF) and the more productive Mule (MU) ewes were infected with the abomasal parasite Teladorsagia circumcincta, and from day -21 to day 32 (day 0 is parturition), they were fed restrictedly at either 0.8 (low protein (LP)) or 1.3 (high protein (HP)) times their breed-specific estimated MP requirement (n 18 for each breed-feeding treatment combination). During late pregnancy, LP feeding reduced ewe body weight gain in both breeds, tended to increase faecal egg count (FEC), but it did not affect plasma pepsinogen. During lactation, LP feeding reduced litter growth rate and ewe plasma urea and plasma albumin concentrations compared with HP feeding in both breeds. However, breed and feeding treatment interacted for ewe FEC, worm egg excretion and plasma pepsinogen, which were higher for the LP-MU ewes compared with the HP-MU and BF ewes. The lower degree of PPRI of the BF ewes during lactation compared with the MU ewes at a similar degree of MP scarcity suggests that the effect of reproductive output on nutritional sensitivity of PPRI cannot be explained by associated differences in nutrient demand only.
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Kidane A, Houdijk JGM, Athanasiadou S, Tolkamp BJ, Kyriazakis I. Effects of maternal protein nutrition and subsequent grazing on chicory (Cichorium intybus) on parasitism and performance of lambs. J Anim Sci 2010; 88:1513-21. [PMID: 20023143 DOI: 10.2527/jas.2009-2530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Forty-eight 4- to 5-yr-old Blackface x Bluefaced Leicester (Mule) ewes and their 24-d-old twin lambs were used to assess the effects of maternal protein nutrition and subsequent grazing on chicory (Cichorium intybus) on performance and parasitism. The experiment consisted of 2 grazing periods: safe pasture period and experimental pasture period. During an adaptation period of 66 d, ewes were infected through oral dosing with Teladorsagia circumcincta infective larvae (3 d per wk) and were supplemented with protein (HP) or not (LP) for the last 45 d of this period. At the end of this period, ewes and their lambs were turned out onto a parasitologically safe pasture; all ewes continued to be dosed with parasite (once a week), and HP ewes received protein supplementation for the first 35 d. Ewes and lambs grazed the safe pasture for an additional 43 d after termination of protein supplementation and of oral dosing with parasites. Ewes and their lambs were then moved onto newly established experimental pastures sown with chicory or grass/clover (Lolium perenne/Trifolium repens). During the safe pasture period, HP ewes had decreased fecal egg counts (FEC) compared with LP ewes, whereas HP lambs had temporarily less (P < 0.05) FEC, decreased (P < 0.001) plasma pepsinogen concentrations, and grew faster (P = 0.028) than LP lambs. Lambs grazing chicory had consistently less (P < 0.001) FEC and grew faster (P = 0.013) than lambs grazing grass/clover but had greater (P < 0.001) concentrations of pepsinogen. Pasture larvae counts were decreased (P = 0.07) for the chicory compared with the grass/clover plots. There were no interactions (P > 0.10) between maternal nutrition and grazed forage type on performance or parasitological measurements. Our results suggest that increased maternal protein nutrition and subsequent grazing of chicory independently improve lamb performance and reduce lamb parasitism.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Kidane
- Animal Health, Scottish Agricultural College, West Mains Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3JG, Scotland.
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