Protein profile of lambs experimentally infected with Haemonchus contortus and supplemented with selenium and copper

Abstract

BackgroundGastrointestinal nematodes cause significant economic losses in the sheep industry, with frequent reports of anthelmintic resistance. Therefore, alternative methods to control these parasites are necessary. Thus, the aim of the present study was to assess the effect of treatment with selenium and copper on the protein profile of sheep that were experimentally infected with Haemonchus contortus.MethodsTwenty-eight lambs were experimentally infected with H. contortus and divided into four experimental groups as follow: G1 - untreated animals; G2 - treated with sodium selenite; G3 - treated with copper; G4 - treated with sodium selenite and copper. The serum protein, body weight and egg count per gram of feces (EPG) were assessed at the baseline and after 20, 40, 60 and 80 days. The parasite burden was assessed 80 days after the beginning of the experiment.ResultsHigher levels of total protein and gamma globulin were observed in the lambs treated with sodium selenite and copper on D80. Copper acted as a growth promoter. The copper-supplemented groups exhibited higher daily and total weight gain. The association of selenium and copper altered the protein profile of sheep. Copper and selenium supplementation reduced EPG and worm burden at the end of the experiment. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate the positive effect of the combined parenteral supplementation of Se and Cu on H. contortus infection.ConclusionsThis injectable supplementation could be used as an auxiliary method to control H. contortus in sheep.

Correlation of Trace Mineral Profiles with Gastrointestinal Worm Burden in Rangeland Sheep of Chakwal District, Punjab, Pakistan

“…On the contrary, reduced EPG have been observed in small ruminants treated with copper oxide wire particles (COWP) (Vatta et al, 2009;Soli et al, 2010). Likewise, combination of Se and Cu markedly reduced worm burden in sheep (Fausto et al, 2014). Vellema et al (1996) documented higher EPG in lambs offered low level of Co diet compared to Co supplemented counterpart.…”

Using a Hybrid Model to Forecast the Prevalence of Schistosomiasis in Humans

“…Our proposed hybrid model is easier to be mastered than the other models found in the references [ 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 ], and can improve the applicablity to the grass-roots workers in control of schistosomiasis. In addition, time series forecasting is a far easier approach than models associated with the risk factors of schistosomiasis infection including the distribution of Oncomelania , socio-economic factors, ecology environment, life style, diagnostic tools and therapeutic methods [ 41 , 42 ]. However, by eliminating these factors, the time series forecasting analysis we currently have is incomplete.…”

The Electrophoretic Pattern of Serum Proteins in Sheep with Naturally Acquired Gastrointestinal Nematode Infections

“…Both innate and adaptive immunities protect the host from parasitic infections. Thus, the increase in the concentrations of γ-globulins could be related to the appropriate humoral immune response to stimulation manifested by the animals against nematode infections [15]. According to Kaneko [29], the increase of γ-globulins may be attributed predominantly to the production of immunoglobulins (Ig) directed against the invading agens, including the so called fast and slow immunoglobulins contributing to the two subfractions.…”

“…The effect of gastrointestinal parasitic infections on the protein profi le was determined by Fernandez et al [14] in goats. In sheep, the alterations in the serum protein profi le were presented only in experimental Haemonchus contortus infections [15,16], while in other helminthic infections including natural gastrointestinal nematode infections are poorly documented. Under fi eld conditions, the most of gastrointestinal nematode infections are mixed caused by several different nematode species [17].…”