The dynamics of ovine gastrointestinal nematode infections within ewe and lamb cohorts on three Scottish sheep farms

Hamer, K., McIntyre, J., Morrison, A., Jennings, A., Kelly, R., Leeson, S., Bartley, D., Chaudhry, U., Busin, V. and Sargison, N. (2019) The dynamics of ovine gastrointestinal nematode infections within ewe and lamb cohorts on three Scottish sheep farms. Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 171, 104752. (doi: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2019.104752) (PMID:31479849)

[img]
Preview
Text
193795.pdf - Published Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution.

2MB

Abstract

Gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) are a serious concern for sheep producers worldwide. However, there is a paucity of evidence describing the epidemiology of GIN on modern UK sheep farms. The aim of this paper was to understand whether expected seasonal variations of infection are still found in ewes and lambs under varying management strategies in temperate climates. Faecal egg counts (FEC) were conducted on freshly voided samples collected from groups of ewes and lambs every third week for twelve months on three farms in southeast Scotland. The patterns of egg output have been described here in relation to management practices undertaken on the farms. Despite changes in farming practice and climatic conditions, the findings complement historical studies detailing the epidemiology of GIN. Findings include a periparturient rise in ewe FEC on two of the farms, while lambing time treatment appeared to suppress this on the third farm. On the same two farms lamb FEC increased during the summer, reaching a peak in the autumn. The work also highlights how the ad hoc use of anthelmintics does little to impact these patterns.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:McIntyre, Dr Jennifer and Kelly, Mr Rob and Busin, Valentina and Hamer, Miss Kim
Authors: Hamer, K., McIntyre, J., Morrison, A., Jennings, A., Kelly, R., Leeson, S., Bartley, D., Chaudhry, U., Busin, V., and Sargison, N.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
Journal Name:Preventive Veterinary Medicine
Publisher:Elsevier
ISSN:0167-5877
ISSN (Online):1873-1716
Published Online:25 August 2019
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2019 The Authors
First Published:First published in Preventive Veterinary Medicine 171:104752
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons license

University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record

Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
636401The BUG consortium Building Upon the Genome: using H. contortus genomic resources to develop novel interventions to control endemic GI parasitesEileen DevaneyBiotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)BB/M003949/1RI BIODIVERSITY ANIMAL HEALTH & COMPMED
636401The BUG consortium Building Upon the Genome: using H. contortus genomic resources to develop novel interventions to control endemic GI parasitesEileen DevaneyBiotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)BB/M003949/1RI BIODIVERSITY ANIMAL HEALTH & COMPMED
703581Markers of anthelmintic resistance in gastro-intestinal parasites of ruminantsEileen DevaneyAgriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AGHODEVB)6130010011RI BIODIVERSITY ANIMAL HEALTH & COMPMED