A field study of nematode parasite populations in the lactating ewe

Abstract

A typical postparturient rise of parasite egg output occurred in a group of lactating ewes. At parturition these animals carried few inhibited fourth-stage larvae and the rise was associated with a net increase in parasite populations, which did not occur in non-lactating ewes. Lactating ewes whose established parasite populations were effectively removed just prior to parturition showed a similar rise derived entirely from infection acquired during lactation, which was of much greater magnitude than that seen in similarly treated non-lactating animals. Circumstantial evidence of increased fecundity of T. colubriformis females in lactating ewes was also obtained.It was concluded that the postparturient rise of egg output may derive from an increase in adult parasite populations by an increased rate of establishment of newly ingested infective larvae which develop to the adult stage without inhibition, as well as by the resumption of development of previously inhibited fourth-stage larvae. In addition, both newly acquired and established adult female parasites may show increased fecundity.Ewes whose lambs were removed at birth or after a period of lactation showed a rapid fall in faecal egg counts associated with rejection of part of their existing worm burden and a pronounced increase in resistance to new infection.All of the differences observed between lactating and non-lactating ewes in the behaviour of their parasite populations were found to be qualitatively the same as those that have been frequently reported in susceptible and resistant non-reproductive sheep. The hypothesis is suggested, therefore, that the postparturient rise derives from a pronounced but temporary relaxation of immunological control of gastro-intestinal nematode infection associated with the endocrine status of the lactating ewe.