Growth is impeded by gastrointestinal nematodes in weaned rather than suckling meat-breed lambs in a high summer rainfall region, on the Northern Tablelands, New South Wales
M. L. Dever A B C , L. P. Kahn A and E. K. Doyle A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia.
B CRC for Sheep Industry Innovation, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia.
C Corresponding author. Email: mdever25@hotmail.com
Animal Production Science 57(5) 969-974 https://doi.org/10.1071/AN15806
Submitted: 13 November 2015 Accepted: 15 February 2016 Published: 8 June 2016
Abstract
The hypothesis tested in this experiment was that the effects of gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) on growth of meat-breed lambs would be absent during the suckling period and greatest after weaning. The experiment was a single factor design conducted on five farms over 2012–2014, using meat-breed lambs (Poll Dorset × Border Leicester/Merino), which were either GIN-suppressed (SUP) or not (NSUP). The experiment commenced at lamb marking and continued for 5 months. SUP lambs were serially treated with short- and long-acting anthelmintics. NSUP lambs were not treated before weaning and at weaning received a short-acting multi-active drench with subsequent treatments varying between farms. Worm egg count (WEC) of NSUP lambs were significantly higher (P < 0.0001) than SUP lambs at weaning (1170 and 10 epg) and thereafter (P < 0.0001) reaching 920 epg 2 months after weaning. Haemonchus contortus was the predominant species present in NSUP lambs with smaller contributions from Trichostrongylus spp. There was no effect of GIN control on lamb growth during the pre-weaning period (SUP 17.2 kg vs NSUP 17.0 kg, P = 0.093), whereas GIN reduced growth of lambs by 0.5 kg (SUP 7.1 kg vs NSUP 6.6 kg, P = 0.002) in the last month of observation. There was no effect of GIN control on lamb mortality. GIN did not affect growth of suckling meat-breed lambs despite high WEC at weaning indicating resilience to GIN infection in lambs growing at 200 g/day. In contrast, post-weaning growth was reduced by GIN infection, despite effective treatment at weaning and movement to GIN ‘safe’ pastures. The susceptibility of weaned lambs to the effects of GIN infection highlights the importance of effective control measures at this time.
Additional keywords: egg counts, liveweight, production worm.
References
AWI and MLA (2007) Visual sheep scores. (Australian Wool Innovation Limited & Meat and Livestock Australia Limited: Sydney)Ayres JF, McPhee MJ, Turner AD, Curll ML (2000) The grazing value of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) and phalaris (Phalaris aquatica) for sheep production in the northern tablelands of New South Wales. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 51, 57–68.
| The grazing value of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) and phalaris (Phalaris aquatica) for sheep production in the northern tablelands of New South Wales.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Barger IA (1999) The role of epidemiological knowledge and grazing management for helminth control in small ruminants. International Journal for Parasitology 29, 41–47.
| The role of epidemiological knowledge and grazing management for helminth control in small ruminants.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DyaK1M7ls1Kjtw%3D%3D&md5=f1051bb3a9caba9897fe908c828377ddCAS | 10048818PubMed |
Bisset SA, Morris CA (1996) Feasibility and implications of breeding sheep for resilience to nematode challenge. International Journal for Parasitology 26, 857–868.
| Feasibility and implications of breeding sheep for resilience to nematode challenge.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DyaK2s%2FotFyqsA%3D%3D&md5=8911c8c18b2d414e5bd2a1ab48ecf691CAS | 8923135PubMed |
Blackburn PJ, Carmichael IH, Walkden-Brown SW (2015) Effects of chronic infection with Trichostrongylus vitrinus and immune suppression with corticosteroid on parasitological, immune and performance variables in crossbred meat lambs. Research in Veterinary Science 100, 138–147.
| Effects of chronic infection with Trichostrongylus vitrinus and immune suppression with corticosteroid on parasitological, immune and performance variables in crossbred meat lambs.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC2MXksV2isb4%3D&md5=fccb5e763041a7e11744aace6d524523CAS | 25843895PubMed |
Brien F, Hebart ML, Jaensch KS, Smith DH, Grimson RJ (2009) Genetics of lamb survival: A study of merino resource flocks in South Australia. In ‘Association for the Advancement of Animal Breeding and Genetics Volume 18’. pp. 492–495. (Association for the Advancement of Animal Breeding and Genetics: Roseworthy, SA)
Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) (2015) Monthly rainfall: site number 56037.
Burris MJ, Baugus CA (1955) Milk consumption and growth of suckling lambs. Journal of Animal Science 14, 186–199.
Carmichael I (2009) ‘Parasite control in southern prime lamb production systems.’ (Meat & Livestock Australia Limited: North Sydney, NSW)
Corbett JL (1968) Variation in the yield and composition of milk of grazing merino ewes. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 19, 283–294.
| Variation in the yield and composition of milk of grazing merino ewes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Dever ML, Kahn LP, Doyle EK (2015) Persistent challenge with Trichostrongylus colubriformis and Haemonchus contortus larvae does not affect growth of meat-breed lambs suppressively treated with anthelmintics when grazing. Veterinary Parasitology 209, 76–83.
| Persistent challenge with Trichostrongylus colubriformis and Haemonchus contortus larvae does not affect growth of meat-breed lambs suppressively treated with anthelmintics when grazing.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BC2MrpslWhtA%3D%3D&md5=6767fc1d5a397b8f34a7df60748c0a0cCAS | 25725548PubMed |
Dunn AM (1969) ‘Veterinary helminthology.’ (William Heinemann: London)
Geenty KG (1979) Lactation performance, growth, and carcass composition of sheep 1. Milk production, milk composition, and live weights of Romney, Corriedale, Dorset, Romney X Dorset, and Dorset X Romney ewes in relation to the growth of their lambs. New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research 22, 241–250.
| Lactation performance, growth, and carcass composition of sheep 1. Milk production, milk composition, and live weights of Romney, Corriedale, Dorset, Romney X Dorset, and Dorset X Romney ewes in relation to the growth of their lambs.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Gibb MJ, Treacher TT (1980) The effect of ewe condition at lambing on the performance of ewes and their lambs at pasture. The Journal of Agricultural Science 95, 631–640.
| The effect of ewe condition at lambing on the performance of ewes and their lambs at pasture.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Gordon H (1967) The diagnosis of helminthosis in sheep. Veterinary Medical Review 67, 140–168.
Greer AW, Stankiewicz M, Jay NP, McAnulty RW, Sykes AR (2005) The effect of concurrent corticosteroid induced immuno-suppression and infection with the intestinal parasite Trichostrongylus colubriformis on food intake and utilization in both immunologically naïve and competent sheep. Animal Science 80, 89–99.
| The effect of concurrent corticosteroid induced immuno-suppression and infection with the intestinal parasite Trichostrongylus colubriformis on food intake and utilization in both immunologically naïve and competent sheep.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2MXjvFOksrw%3D&md5=04fe814d56224901a5f7968d6c015ca0CAS |
Iposu SO, McAnulty RW, Greer AW, Xie HL, Green RS, Stankiewicz M, Sykes AR (2008) Does suckling offer protection to the lamb against Teladorsagia circumcincta infection? Veterinary Parasitology 153, 294–301.
| Does suckling offer protection to the lamb against Teladorsagia circumcincta infection?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BD1c3ns1Wluw%3D%3D&md5=c657ed18410e07d96f140f19352c27eeCAS | 18329809PubMed |
Iposu SO, Greer AW, McAnulty RW, Stankiewicz M, Sykes AR (2010) Does milk supply have long-term benefits for resistance and resilience to nematode parasites in sheep? Small Ruminant Research 94, 142–149.
| Does milk supply have long-term benefits for resistance and resilience to nematode parasites in sheep?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Knight TW, Atkinson DS, Haack NA, Palmer CR, Rowland KH (1993) Effects of suckling regime on lamb growth rates and milk yields of Dorset ewes. New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research 36, 215–222.
| Effects of suckling regime on lamb growth rates and milk yields of Dorset ewes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Knox MR, Steel JW (1999) The effects of urea supplementation on production and parasitological responses of sheep infected with Haemonchus contortus and Trichostrongylus colubriformis. Veterinary Parasitology 83, 123–135.
| The effects of urea supplementation on production and parasitological responses of sheep infected with Haemonchus contortus and Trichostrongylus colubriformis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK1MXjtFajs7s%3D&md5=31e3cc484906670d87000d60f390985eCAS | 10392968PubMed |
Lane J, Jubb T, Shephard R, Webb-Ware J, Fordyce G (2015) Priority list of endemic diseases for the red meat industries. Meat & Livestock Australia Limited Project code B.AHE.0010, Sydney.
Larsen JWA, Anderson N, Vizard AL, Anderson GA, Hoste H (1994) Diarrhoea in Merino ewes during winter: association with trichostrongylid larvae. Australian Veterinary Journal 71, 365–372.
| Diarrhoea in Merino ewes during winter: association with trichostrongylid larvae.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DyaK2M3ktlymsg%3D%3D&md5=e11ef10a618574953936d9a560d2e509CAS |
Le Jambre LF, Dominik S, Eady SJ, Henshall JM, Colditz IG (2007) Adjusting worm egg counts for faecal moisture in sheep. Veterinary Parasitology 145, 108–115.
| Adjusting worm egg counts for faecal moisture in sheep.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BD2s7ksl2gug%3D%3D&md5=11afd4c822b43de37fc87e658c8b6f3bCAS | 17188813PubMed |
Maxwell D, Kahn LP, Love S, Lyndal-Murphy M, Walkden-Brown SW (2012) WormBoss worm control program – summer rainfall/tablelands and slopes. Available at http://www.wormboss.com.au/files/pages/programs/tablelands-slopes/liver-fluke-control/worm-control-program/WB_Program_TABLELANDS__SLOPES_30_June_2012_JH.pdf [Verified 13 November 2015]
Morley N (2006) Effect of immunosuppression on host-parasite interaction in sheep infected with Haemonchus contortus. B.Rur.Sc. (Hons) Thesis, University of New England, Armidale.
Ørskov ER, Benzie D, Kay RNB (1970) The effects of feeding procedure on closure of the oesophageal groove in young sheep. British Journal of Nutrition 24, 785–795.
| The effects of feeding procedure on closure of the oesophageal groove in young sheep.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 5470779PubMed |
Roeber F, Kahn L (2014) The specific diagnosis of gastrointestinal nematode infections in livestock: larval culture technique, its limitations and alternative DNA-based approaches. Veterinary Parasitology 205, 619–628.
| The specific diagnosis of gastrointestinal nematode infections in livestock: larval culture technique, its limitations and alternative DNA-based approaches.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC2cXhsVyhsbfP&md5=710c1cfd160249e877d468c927ac45abCAS | 25182210PubMed |
Sackett D, Holmes P, Abbott K, Jephcott S, Barber M (2006) Assessing the economic cost of endemic disease on the profitability of Australian beef cattle and sheep producers. Meat and Livestock Australia Final Report of Project AHW.087, Sydney.
Shaw KL, Nolan JV, Lynch JJ, Coverdale OR, Gill HS (1995) Effects of weaning, supplementation and gender on acquired immunity to Haemonchus contortus in lambs. International Journal for Parasitology 25, 381–387.
| Effects of weaning, supplementation and gender on acquired immunity to Haemonchus contortus in lambs.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DyaK2MzisFSlug%3D%3D&md5=97422b06cab36877c30bc08ad4580735CAS | 7601597PubMed |
Spedding CRW, Brown TH, Large RV (1963) The effect of milk intake on nematode infestation of the lamb. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society 22, 32–41.
Steel JW, Jones WO, Symons LEA (1982) Effects of a concurrent infection of Trichostrongylus colubriformis on the productivity and physiological and metabolic responses of lambs infected with Ostertagia circumcincta. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 33, 131–140.
| Effects of a concurrent infection of Trichostrongylus colubriformis on the productivity and physiological and metabolic responses of lambs infected with Ostertagia circumcincta.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaL38Xhs1Sgsrk%3D&md5=374bf477ed8cdda011211c7901018195CAS |
Sykes AR (2010) Host immune responses to nematodes: benefit or cost? Implications for future development of sustainable methods of control. Revista Brasileira de Zootecnia 39, 376–382.
| Host immune responses to nematodes: benefit or cost? Implications for future development of sustainable methods of control.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Thompson J, Meyer H (1994) Body condition scoring of sheep. (Oregon State University Extension Service, Oregon State University: Corvallis, OR, USA)
van Houtert MFJ, Barger IA, Steel JW, Windon RG, Emery DL (1995) Effects of dietary protein intake on responses of young sheep to infection with Trichostrongylus colubriformis. Veterinary Parasitology 56, 163–180.
| Effects of dietary protein intake on responses of young sheep to infection with Trichostrongylus colubriformis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DyaK2M3ltVartw%3D%3D&md5=626732c4bbe5134455c1bb1af6c20631CAS |
van Wyk JA, Cabaret J, Michael LM (2004) Morphological identification of nematode larvae of small ruminants and cattle simplified. Veterinary Parasitology 119, 277–306.
| Morphological identification of nematode larvae of small ruminants and cattle simplified.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BD2c3lsFyquw%3D%3D&md5=53c5428194eb2c208bdcd8126c59a365CAS | 15154594PubMed |
Wallace LR (1948) Growth of lambs before and after birth in relation to the level of nutrition. The Journal of Agricultural Science 38, 93–153.
| Growth of lambs before and after birth in relation to the level of nutrition.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaG3cXktFajsw%3D%3D&md5=e4b98a3626ed681f7313de4092f343d6CAS |
Watson DL, Gill HS (1991) Effect of weaning on antibody responses and nematode parasitism in merino lambs. Research in Veterinary Science 51, 128–132.
| Effect of weaning on antibody responses and nematode parasitism in merino lambs.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DyaK387lvFGgtg%3D%3D&md5=e42241b4da8f24d88e4d7cc86e2e15d8CAS | 1788476PubMed |
Whitlock HV (1948) Some modifications of the McMaster helminth egg-counting technique and apparatus. Journal of Scientific and Industrial Research 21, 177–180.
Zeng S, Lawton DEB, Przemeck SMC, Simcock DC, Simpson HV (2001) Reduced Ostertagia circumcincta burdens in milk-fed lambs. New Zealand Veterinary Journal 49, 2–7.
| Reduced Ostertagia circumcincta burdens in milk-fed lambs.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BD2MznsVSksA%3D%3D&md5=b8e64d819f217d1ccee926f68dae097eCAS | 16032154PubMed |
Zeng S, Brown S, Przemeck SMC, Simpson HV (2003) Milk and milk components reduce the motility of Ostertagia circumcincta larvae in vitro. New Zealand Veterinary Journal 51, 174–178.
| Milk and milk components reduce the motility of Ostertagia circumcincta larvae in vitro.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BD2MznsVagug%3D%3D&md5=cee483283e52918e4ae85fd6b4916d51CAS | 16032320PubMed |
