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Research article - Peer-reviewed, 2009

The effect of long-term feeding of fresh and ensiled cassava (Manihot esculenta) foliage on gastrointestinal nematode infections in goats

Sokerya, S.; Waller, P. J.; Try, P.; Hoglund, J.

Abstract

The benefit of long-term feeding of fresh or ensiled cassava foliage on gastrointestinal parasite in goats was evaluated. Eighteen male goats (15.15 +/- 2.83kg and between 4-6months) were randomly allocated into three treatments supplemented with 200g of wheat bran head(-1) day(-1). All groups were fed ad-libitum on either grass (CO), fresh cassava (CaF) or ensiled cassava foliage (CaS). At the beginning of the trial, each goat was inoculated with 3000 L3 containing a parts per thousand 50% Haemonchus contortus. Individual LWt, FEC and PCV were measured at weekly intervals for 10weeks. At the termination of the experiment all goats were slaughtered for worm recovery and enumeration. The goats in CaF and CaS had similar weight gains while those in CO lost weight (p < 0.05) through the trial. FEC in CaF and CaS were lower (p < 0.05) than CO during the patency of parasite infections, but there was no difference between CaF and CaS goats. PCV of all groups decreased from above 30% to around 25% at the end of the trial. The compositions of established worm burdens were mainly H. contortus (19-40%) and Trichostrongylus colubriformis (55-76%). TWB did not differ among the groups, however, CaS significantly reduced H. contortus burdens, as compared to CaF and CO (p a parts per thousand currency sign 0.005). Thus, ensiled cassava foliage reduced the H. contortus population while the fresh foliage only reduced worm fecundity.

Keywords

Anthelmintic effect; Cambodia; Goat; Haemonchus contortus; Parasite control

Published in

Tropical Animal Health and Production
2009, Volume: 41, number: 2, pages: 251-258