M. Y. Hasegawa

Anthelmintic effects of dried ground banana plant leaves ( Musa spp.) fed to sheep artificially infected with Haemonchus contortus and Trichostrongylus colubriformis

Background: Helminths is a endoparasites that cause the major losses for profitable sheep production in Brazil. The increased development of resistant strains of endoparasites have enforced the search for sustainable alternatives. The aim of this paper was to provide information about endoparasites control with banana leaves in infected sheep as alternative control strategies and see its viability. Materials and Methods: In this study, we performed two trials to investigate the anthelmintic properties of banana leaves on endoparasites in sheep. In Trial 1, twelve sheep were artificially infected with Trichostrongylus colubriformis; in Trial 2, eleven sheep were artificially infected with Haemonchus contortus. Clinical examinations, packed cell volume, total protein, faecal egg counts (FECs) and egg hatchability tests (EHTs) were performed. At the end of the trials, the sheep were humanely slaughtered, and total worm counts were performed. Results: In Trial 1 and 2, no significant FEC decreases were note but significant diference in EHTs were observed. Total worm counts, clinical and haematological parameters did not reveal significant changes between the treatment and control groups. These results suggest that feeding dried ground banana plant leaves to sheep may reduce the viability of Trichostrongylus colubriformis eggs, and this anthelmintic activity is potentially exploitable as part of an integrated parasite management programme. Conclusion: However, further investigation is needed to establish the optimal dosage, develop a convenient delivery form and confirm the economic feasibility of using banana plantation byproducts as feed for ruminant species. Abbreviations: Coproculture test (CT)., Faecal egg count (FEC)., Egg hatchability test (EHT)

Pesquisa de anticorpos contra Maedi-Visna em ovinos nas microrregiões de Botucatu, Campinas, Piedade e São Paulo, Estado de São Paulo

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the occurrence of infection with maedi-visna virus in sheep raised in the regions of Botucatu, Campinas, Piedade and Sao Paulo, state of Sao Paulo, Brazil, that showed symptoms of the disease. Blood serum samples collected from 226 sheep were submitted to the agar gel immunodiffusion technique for detection of antibodies against maedi-visna virus, and none of the samples tested was serum reactive. In conclusion, the maedi-visna virus has low frequency in animals raised in the regions studied.

Avaliação dos fatores etários sobre a função renal de ovelhas Santa Inês

This study evaluated kidney function of healthy Santa Ines ewes, bred in Sao Paulo State. The aim of this paper was to establish standard reference values and stipulate value variation caused by age group factor. We determined seric and urinary levels of urea, creatinine, sodium and potassium, and urinary GGT from 128 ewes, divided into 4 groups according to age. Also urinalysis was made in 128 urine samples. No significant statistical difference was found regarding density values between all groups, although there was an increase in urea values, creatinine and sodium, and an decrease in urinary proteins and GGT in group 2, 3 and 4 older than group1. In relation to the seric parameters, there was significative statistical difference in urea and creatinine values between the groups, as an increase in urea and creatinine. Potassium decreased in the older groups 2, 3 and 4. Evaluating the results obtained for renal function, we found that the mean values of density were 1.03±0.01, pH 7.1±1.35, urea (mg/dL) 1342±1085, creatinin 42.39±23,36, total protein (g/dL) 5.61±2.88, GGT (U/L) 1.44±1.31, sodium and potassium (mmol/L) were 15.93±20.13 and 240±117 respectively. In the serum medium values were: urea (mg/dL) 32.33±19.81, creatinine 1.22±0.20, sodium and potassium (mmol/L) 145.7±8.8 and 5.5±1.30 respectively.