Rise of gastro-intestinal nematode egg counts in lactating goats

Abstract

This experiment evaluated the parturition and lactating influence on the fecal nematode egg counts in female goats. The does were divided into four groups as follows: DND - dry nondewormed does; LND - lactating nondewormed does; DD - dry dewormed does; LD – lactating does, dewormed three to four weeks before parturition. The study was replicated in two parturition seasons. The egg per gram (EPG) counts and the fecal cultures were carried out weekly. In spite of the anthelmintic medication, the does who gave birth in October (middle of the dry season) presented higher EPG counts than the dry does. In the LND group, the EPG rises took place at the third and seventh weeks after parturition. During these peaks, the EPG counts in the LND group were higher (P<0.05) than the munts in the DND group. In the LD group, the EPG rises took place at the third week of the parturition period and from the third to sixth weeks after parturition. During these peaks, the EPG counts in the LD group were higher (P<0.05) than the counts in the DD group. The EPG rises in the does who gave birth in June (beginning of the dry season) were less defined. In the LD group, the EPG rises took place three and one weeks before the beginning of parturition. During these peaks, the EPG counts in the LD group were higher (P<0.05) than the counts in the DD group. The EPG rises observed in the lactating does were considered to be related to the development of inhibited larvae. Haemonchus was the most important nematode related to these rises.