High energy reduces parasitic effect

It is well known that nutrition has an effect on internal parasitism in small ruminants. Mexican researchers designed a study to evaluate the parasitological and humoral immune response of Pelibuey sheep experimentally infected with Haemonchus contortus that were fed diets with two different energy (n = 12) and protein (n = 12) levels.

Twenty-four Pelibuey lambs infected with H. contortus were evaluated over 12 weeks. An additional six animals were considered as a control group. Fecal egg count (FEC) was determined, as well as packed cell volume (PCV), total plasma protein (TPP), and immunoglobulin levels (IgA, IgG, and IgM).

The lambs that received a high-energy diet had the lowest FEC regardless of whether they received a high or low protein diet. The effect of energy level was also observed over time: FEC values decreased and PCV and TPP values increased. Higher immunoglobulin levels were obtained for females than males yet, overall, the energy and protein levels of the diets did not affect the response of the immunoglobulins. Over time, however, an increase in IgG and IgM was observed, whereas the IgA level remained basal. Source: Heliyon. Volume 6, Issue 12, December 2020.