Field Study on Prevalence and Risk Factors for Gastrointestinal Nematodes in Selected Herds of Cattle

Abstract

The purpose of the research is study of the effect of productivity direction and season on cattle contamination with gastrointestinal nematodes.Materials and methods. Analyzing the criterion of animal husbandry system, two herds of meat cattle of blonde d'aquitaine meat breeds (54 individuals - grazing) of the Limousine breed (53 specimens – rearing without pasture) and two flocks of Holstein- Friesian dairy cattle from three farms (187 – with access to pastures) individuals located in north-western Poland. The research was carried out in 2014–2017. The animals were not dewormed. Attempts for parasitological examinations were collected from January to December from the handpiece or from the bedding immediately after defecation. The study was based on a quantitative method using the McMaster technique, which allowed the number of eggs to be determined in 1 g of feces.Results and discussion. A high percentage of cattle infection with a mixed infection of GIN was found. The greatest intensity of infection was demonstrated in April, May and June. In these months, the average degree of worming ranged from 58.31 to 92.53 % depending on the type of farm. The lowest level of infection was in winter months: December, January, February. Comparison of the prevalence of invasive endoparasites in dairy and beef cattle showed a higher extensiveness of infection in beef cattle. The increase in the number of eggs was observed along with the increase in the extensiveness of infection in the spring months. During this period, the EPG coefficient ranged from 359–468 eggs/gram. In summer months there was a slight decrease in the number of eggs in the faeces oscillated around 416–325 eggs/gram. Repeated egg expulsion was observed in August. After this period the excretion of eggs decreased. Microclimate factors, especially temperature and atmospheric precipitation, have a huge impact on the spread of helminthosis. Therefore, learning the exact dynamics of infection with endoparasites in an annual cycle has an important practical aspect in the selection of deworming dates.

Keywords

• cattle
• gastrointestinal nematodes
• naturally infection
• prevalence