Short communication: Effect of pomegranate-residue supplement on Cryptosporidium parvum oocyst shedding in neonatal calves

Abstract

Cryptosporidium parvum is considered one of the most common enteropathogens, responsible for the high incidence of diarrhea and deleterious implications on immunity and health in neonatal calves. The pomegranate is well known for its health-promoting properties. Two experiments were designed to test the antiparasitical and antidiarrheal effects of concentrated pomegranate extract (CPE) supplement in milk in neonatal Holstein calves. Forty-one calves were randomly divided into control (n=20) and treatment (n=21) groups. For the first experiment, the treatment group was supplemented with 3.75% CPE in the daily milk ration, between 3 and 14 d of age, whereas the control group received only milk. Fecal samples were collected between d 5 and 13 to quantify Cryptosporidium oocysts, and the duration and intensity of diarrhea were evaluated. Reduced fecal oocyst count and diarrhea intensity and duration were revealed in the 3.75% CPE calves. No difference was noted in average daily gain between groups. In a second experiment, which was designed to test the effect of a lower CPE concentration (0.6% of daily milk allocation), no effects on fecal oocyst count and average daily gain were observed. However, compared with control, the lower CPE group was characterized by a shorter duration of diarrhea and higher weight gain among males at 14 d of age. These results suggest that the CPE supplement-to-calf milk ratio may potentially alleviate intestinal morbidity caused by Cryptosporidium.

Oral administration of chestnut tannins to reduce the duration of neonatal calf diarrhea

“…The pathogen that was most isolated in our population of diarrheic calves was Cryptosporidium parvum, in line with those reported in the literature [1,2,11]. The mean age of diarrhea onset for all calves included was also in line with literature data [1,2].…”

“…Due to the high amount of antimicrobials used every year in the livestock industry and possible cross-resistance between human and animal pathogens [29,30], for many years alternative treatments have been investigated [11].…”

“…Several mechanisms of actions have been proposed for tannins, including enzyme inhibition and substrate or metal ions deprivation, and bacterial cell membrane integrity [31]. However, most studies have reported the effects of tannins (above all condensed tannins) on bacteria, fungi and nematode, whereas only few have investigated the effect of tannins on protozoa and, in particular, on Cryptosporidium parvum [11,33]. The anti-protozoal activity of polyphenols has been reported for Eimeria [34][35][36].…”

“…Some phytotherapic options have been evaluated for gastrointestinal diseases, such as gastric ulcers and gastric lesions, in rats, piglets, horses, and calves [8][9][10]. Pomegranate-residue supplements have been used in neonatal calves affected by Cryptosporidium parvum, resulting in a reduction in the fecal oocyst count, as well as in intensity and duration of diarrhea [11].…”

Tannin containing legumes as a model for nutraceuticals against digestive parasites in livestock

“…However, results of a recent experiment with calves, which were under 15-day old, are promising: supplementation of milk with concentrated pomegranate extract may, depending on the concentration, reduce faecal oocyst count and diarrhoea intensity and duration because of Cryptosporidium parvum infection (Weyl-Feinstein et al, 2014) [it should be noted, however, that pomegranate contains mostly ellagitannins -and not CTs].…”