The Influence of Gastrointestinal Nematode Infection on the Metabolism and Puberty of the Growing Egyptian Lambs
Abstract: ABSTRACT:
The effect of mixed infection with Gastrointestinal Nematode (GIN) on the inter-relationshipbetween metabolism,growth rate and onset of puberty were studied in sheep. Twelve Female lambs were experimentally infected with different species of GIN (10000 L3each) and their metabolic parameters with their live body weight gain were followed in comparison to that of control free (six female lambs).Compared to control female lambs, there were metabolic derangement in all infected lambs from weaning to puberty as shown by anemia, eosinophilia, lowered serum concentration of total protein, albumin, and globulin, but there was increased serum globulin level within the infected lambs during the sixth month of age.During the time of highly infection with GIN(fourth month of age), the present study recorded increased serum concentrations of cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein (HDL), but there were decrease in their levels at the ninth month of age despite these changes were nonsignificant. From the beginning of the fourth till the ninth month of age There were severe metabolic derangements in all infected female lambs in the serum levels of T3 and T4 and there were reduction in body weights of infected lambs compared to the control free. GIN infection delayed age of puberty in infected lambs as monitored by progesterone concentration, the control free reached puberty one month earlier than the infected ones. However, despite suffering altered metabolic status the infected ewe lambs, achieved puberty at body weights not significantly different from those of control ewe lambs. It is concluded that, mixed GIN infection in Egyptian female lambs resulted in decreased body weight gain and metabolic derangement related to growth and retarded age of puberty and sexual maturation which finally lead to adverse effect on the reproductive cycle of the Egyptian sheep.
Key word: Gastrointestinal Nematode, Metabolism, Puberty, Growing, Egyptian Lambs
Publication year 2004
Availability location مكتبة معهد بحوث التناسليات بالهرم
Availability number
Organization Name
Author(s) from ARC
Agris Categories Animal physiology - Reproduction
Proposed Agrovoc Egyptian Lambs;
Publication Type Researsh & Applied Activities
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