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The effect of level of nutrition on the development of resistance to Haemonchus contortus in sheep
Author(s) -
Roberts JA,
Adams DB
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
australian veterinary journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.382
H-Index - 59
eISSN - 1751-0813
pISSN - 0005-0423
DOI - 10.1111/j.1751-0813.1990.tb07711.x
Subject(s) - haemonchus contortus , biology , pasture , outbreak , veterinary medicine , zoology , grazing , pellets , helminths , agronomy , medicine , immunology , virology , paleontology
SUMMARY Merino wether weaners, 5‐months old at the start of the experiment and fed lucerne‐based pellets at 600 g per head per day, developed resistance to Haemonchus contortus given as a continuous or “trickle” infection at the rate of 500 larvae 3 times per week over a period of 17 weeks. By contrast, the development of resistance was impaired in weaners fed pellets at 400 g per head per day. Low food intake and protein‐energy deprivation, therefore, have a major effect in impairing the development and expression of host‐protective immunity against haemonchosis. The point at which low food intake causes outbreaks of haemonchosis in sheep at pasture is critical in determining procedures for prevention and control of the disease.