ORIGINAL PAPER
Effect of supplementary feeding on the
gastrointestinal strongylid eggs shedding
in grazing pregnant Merino ewes
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1
Estación Agricola Experimental (CSIC), Apdo. 788,
24080 León, Spain
2
Departamento de Patologa Animal (Sanidad Animal),
Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León,
24080 León, Spain
Publication date: 1995-08-22
Corresponding author
I. Ferre
Estación Agricola Experimental (CSIC), Apdo. 788,
24080 León, Spain
J. Anim. Feed Sci. 1995;4(3):237-245
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
Sixty Merino ewes during 140 days of pregnancy were naturally infected by strongylids at grazing,
but 30 animals were provided a barley supplement furthermore (400 grams per head day-1). Faecal
samples were collected every 20 days for analysis and by means of faecal cultures the genera of
strongylids present were identified. Body weight and body condition scores were also recorded every
10 days. Results showed that liveweight and body condition scores were higher in supplemented
group than unsupplemented one during study. Unsupplemented ewes showed the higher strongylid
eggs elimination during early pregnancy and periparturient rise in late pregnancy; and during whole
experiment showed higher infection percentages than supplement fed group. However, supplemented
ewes showed from 100 days of pregnancy higher values of strongylid eggs output. An increase in
parasite establishment resistance of supplemented ewes is suggested and epidemiological implications
will be discussed.
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