Resistance of three strains of small East African goats to artificial infection withed mixed gastrointestinal nematode parasites

Abstract

The response of three strains of Small East African (SEA) goats (Gogo, Newala and Ujiji) to artificial injection with a mixture of gastrointestinal nematodes i.e Haemaonchus spp, Trichostrongylus spp and Oesophagostomum spp was compared Eight Ujiji, seven Newala and eight Gogo goats with initial body weight ranging from 5.4 to 11. 7 kg and aged, between seven and eight, and half months were used in the experiment. Prior to the start of the experimet, all goats were, drenched with antihelmintics. One week after anthelmintic treatment, all animals were individually dosed orally with a mixture of Haemonchus spp, Trichostrongylus spp and Oesophagstoum spp at a dose rate of 2000 larvae/ml Following injection, faecal egg count (FEC), packed cell volume. (PCV) growth rate and mortality were monitored for 10 weeks. After 10 weeks three Newala goats three Ujiji goats and four Gogo goats were slaughtered to determine total worm count (TWC). Significant differences were observed in FEC, PCV. TWC and mortality among the SEA goat strains. Gogo goats had significantly lower FEC (606 epg). TWC (529) and mortality rate (0%) but higher PCV (20.4%)while Ujiji, goats showed the highest FEC (2043 epg). TWC (795) and mortality rate (25%) and the lowest PCV (16. 6%/ All strains lost weight following injection. On average, Ujiji goats showed the highest weight loss (86g/d), followed by Newala (58 g/d and Gogo had the lowest weight loss (10 g/d), The study demonstrated that the Gogo goats were more resistant while the Ujiji goats were more susceptible to gastrointestinal nematode injection.

Keywords: Small East African goats, gastrointestinal nematodes, resistance

Tanzania J.Agric. Sc. (2002) Vol. 5 No.1 l-IO