Hypoglycaemia and Hypoproteinaemia in infected Goats Slaughtered at Sokoto Central Abattoir

Abstract

A study was conducted to determine the effect of Haemonchus contortus infection on glucose and protein concentrations of goats brought for slaughter at Sokoto Central abattoir, between May and December, 2011. Faecal samples collected directly from the rectum of two hundred (200) goats were screened by visual observation and analyzed using flotation and concentration techniques to identify macro-parasites and/or their eggs. Blood samples of the same goats were collected at the point of slaughter and analyzed for the determination of glucose and protein concentrations by enzymatic colorimetric methods using appropriate commercial kits according to established techniques. Out of the 200 faecal samples examined, 71 (35.5%) were found to be infected with Haemonchus contortus. Both sexes and ages did not differ significantly (p > 0.05). The mean glucose and protein in the normal goats were found to be respectively; 3.63+ 0.149 mmol/L and 6.30+ 0.800 g/dl whereas, the corresponding values in the parasitized animals were 1.38 ± 0.023 mmol/L and 1.68 ± 0.057 g/dl respectively. The infection had a significant (p < 0.05) effect on serum glucose and protein concentrations. It is concluded that infection with Haemonchus contortus results in hypoglycaemia coupled with hypoproteinaemia in infected animals. The findings in this study could help in understanding the effects of parasites on their host.

Keywords: Haemonchus contortus infection, Sokoto Central abattoir, hypoproteinaemia, Faecal samples

Nigerian Journal of Parasitology, Vol. 33 [2] September 2012, pp. 191-196