Efficacy of condensed tannin presents in acacia extract on the control of Trichostrongylus colubriformis in sheep

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential uses of acacia extract (AE) on Trichostrongylus colubriformis control in sheep. The lambs were allocated in three groups of six animals. Two groups were experimentally infected with third-stage larvae of T. colubriformis and one was remained as non-infected control. Thirty days post-infection, the infected animals from treated group were supplemented with AE. During and after the treatment, the values of faecal eggs counts (FEC), number of third-stage larvae recovered per gram of faeces (LPG), number of FEC accumulated per animal during the treatment period, nematode egg viability, and worm burden were determined. Animals from non-infected group did not presented FEC values, during the experimental period. The average of total accumulated amount of FEC output per group, during the 10 days of the treatment was lower in AE treated lambs (P<0.05). The values of egg viability were statistically reduced (P<0.05) on days 4, 7 and 10 post treatment (p.t.). The number of LPG was lower (P<0.05), at the days 10 and 14p.t., in treated animals. AE showed potential to be used on the prophylaxis of gastrointestinal nematode infections in sheep.