Maria Novella Benvenuti

A herbal antifungal formulation of Thymus serpillum, Origanum vulgare and Rosmarinus officinalis for treating ovine dermatophytosis due to Trichophyton mentagrophytes

A number of herbal products with anti‐inflammatory, antiseptic and antimycotic properties are available for dermatological usage. The successful treatment of 13 sheep affected by ringworm due to Trichophyton mentagrophytes with a mixture consisting of essential oils (EOs) of Thymus serpillum 2%, Origanum vulgare 5% and Rosmarinus officinalis 5% in sweet almond (Prunus dulcis) oil. The effectiveness of EOs and of the major components of the mixture (thymol, carvacrol, 1,8 cineole, α‐pinene, p‐cymene, γ‐terpinene) against the fungal clinical isolate was evaluated by a microdilution test. Thirteen animals were topically administered with the mixture twice daily for 15 days. The other sheep were administered with a conventional treatment (seven animals) or left untreated (two animals). Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values were 0.1% for T. serpillum, 0.5% for O. vulgare, 2.5% for I. verum and 5% for both R. officinalis and C. limon. Thymol and carvacrol showed MICs of 0.125% and 0.0625%. A clinical and aetiological cure was obtained at the end of each treatment regimen in only the treated animals. Specific antimycotic drugs licenced for food‐producing sheep are not available within the European Community. The mixture tested here appeared to be a versatile tool for limiting fungal growth.

Buckwheat bran (Fagopyrum esculentum) as partial replacement of corn and soybean meal in the laying hen diet

The effect of partial substitution of corn (−20%) and soybean meal (−10%) with buckwheat bran (+30%) (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) in the diet of ISA-Brown hens was investigated in sixteen 74-week old hens, housed in couple wire cages and submitted to a 16 h light:8 h dark photoperiod. The following traits were measured: body weight, egg production, egg mass, egg quality, feed intake, feed conversion, comparative palatability of ingredients and digestibility of diet. χ2 and non-parametric tests were used for production rate and yolk color score, respectively. ANOVA was used for all other parameters. Comparative choice of buckwheat, corn and soy was checked under different forms in 3 free choice tests. Results show that egg production rate (43.3% vs 50.5%; P<0.05) and feed intake (78.3±0.68 eggs/hen d vs 87.8±0.68 eggs/hen d; P<0.05) increased with the partial introduction of buckwheat bran in the diet. There was no difference in feed conversion between treatments. Nutrient balance confirmed that AMEn of diet was deeply lowered by the buckwheat bran use (6.5 MJ/kg vs 10.1 MJ/kg), due to the high fibre content of buckwheat bran (263 g/kg). Maize was always the most preferred ingredient, buckwheat bran was consumed more than expected in absence of any preference, and soybean was the food least chosen. Buckwheat bran can be used as an ingredient feed for low-producing laying hens; it induces a feed-intake increase, partially balanced by improved egg-production rates and a tendency to better albumen Haugh units.

Use of homeopathy in parasites control plans in a flock of Zerasca sheep

The control of gastrointestinal parasites in livestock relies almost exclusively on multiple and regular dosing with anthelmintics. This leads to problems linked with residues in food products and in the environment and has encouraged researchers to search for alternatives or new helminth control methods (Ketzis et al., 2006). Among these medthods, homeopathy could play a strategic role in solving health problems; however, at present, there is a lack of scientific results with validated techniques used on a large scale. The aim of this study was thus to investigate the feasibility of homeopathy in the control of the parasite burden in sheep. The study lasted 12 months and involved 30 Zerasca ewes divided into two groups. Sabadilla MK was administered twice. A faecal egg count (FEC) was performed of gastrointestinal strongyles and blood parameters were characterized. Statistical analysis was by ANOVA and relations between FEC and hematocrit (HCT) were estimated by Pearson’s correlations. FEC was influenced by the sampling date, confirming seasonal fluctuation. On the whole, homeopathy did not influence the parasite burden, but a significant decrease (P≤0.05) in egg output was observed at the second and at the last sampling following the administration of the remedy. Data concerning blood parameters did not show appreciable differences between the two groups. FEC and HCT showed an inverse correlation even if mean values were within the normal range. The study revealed the advantages of monitoring parasites and the interest of homeopathy in the control of gastrointestinal nematodes.

Feasibility of homeopathy in a flock of Zerasca sheep

Feasibility of homeopathy in a flock of Zerasca sheep M. N. Benvenuti, F. Pisseri, J. Goracci, L. Giuliotti, B. Gugliucci, F. Macchioni, A. Gavazza and G. Guidi Dipartimento Produzioni Animali, Viale delle Piagge, 2 56124 Pisa, Medico veterinario omeopata Scuola CIMI-Koinè, Dipartimento Clinica Veterinaria, Via Livornese, S. Piero a Grado and Dipartimento Patologia Animale, Profilassi e Igiene degli Alimenti, Viale delle Piagge, 2 56124, Pisa