The effects of nematode parasitism on the rate of passage of food residues through the alimentary tract of sheep

Abstract

1. The mean retention time of stained food residues was longer in sheep maintained on a chopped straw ration than in sheep maintained on a chopped lucerne ration.2. Infection of sheep with 1500 infective Oesophagostomum columbianum juveniles was associated with increased mean retention times.3. The extent to which the mean retention times were increased was associated with the diet and mode of infection of the sheep.4. It was noted that an increase in mean retention time following infection was associated with a general decrease in food intake per kg live eight0.75.5. The results are discussed in relation to the pathogenesis and survival of O.columbianum infections in sheep.