Abstract
The performance of grazing cattle in tropical areas is deeply influenced by parasitism, and the increasing reports of resistance are a threat to effective nematode control. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of avermectins on the performance of weaned calves naturally infected by ivermectin-resistant gastrointestinal nematodes. The effect of four commercial endectocides (ivermectin 2.25 % + abamectin 1.25 %, ivermectin 3.15 %, doramectin 3.15 %, and doramectin 1 %) on parasitism and performance of a hundred weaned Nellore calves were evaluated during 112 days. The most effective anthelmintic showed efficacy of 84 % and resulted in an increase (P < 0.05) of live weight gain of 11.85 kg, compared to untreated group, 9.05 and 9.41 kg compared to those treated with more ineffective avermectins which showed efficacy of 0 and 48.2 %, respectively. A significant (P < 0.05) and weak negative correlation (r = −0.22) between the eggs per gram (EPG) and body weight was observed, indicating that even the low mean EPG (175 ± 150) observed at day 0 in the control group, with predominance of Haemonchus sp., was responsible for production losses. These results indicate that control of nematode parasites in beef cattle in the weaning phase may not result in increased productivity when carried out without technical criteria.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Almeida, G.D., Feliz, D.C., Heckler, R.P., Borges, D.G., Onizuka, M.K., Tavares, L.E., Paiva, F., Borges, F.A. 2012. Ivermectin and moxidectin resistance characterization by larval migration inhibition test in field isolates of Cooperia spp. in beef cattle, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, Veterinary Parasitology, In press
Alves-Branco, F.P.J., Pinheiro, A.C. and Sapper, M.F.M., 1997. Controle estratégico integrado das helmintoses e do complexo carrapato/tristeza parasitária bovina na região da campanha do RS. Brazilian Journal of Veterinary Parasitology, 6, 423–430.
Bianchin, I. 1997. Controle estratégico de parasitos em bovinos de corte, Revista Brasileira de Parasitologia Veterinária, 6, 418-422.
Bianchin, I., Catto, J.B., Kichel, A. N., Torres, R. A. A. and Honer, M. R. 2007. The effect of the control of endo- and ectoparasites on weight gains in crossbred cattle (Bos taurus taurus × Bos taurus indicus) in the central region of Brazil, Tropical Animal Health and Production, 39, 287–296.
Borges, F. A. Silveira,D.M., Graminha,E.B.N., Castagnolli,K.C., Soares,V.E., Nascimento,A.A. and Costa, A.J. 2001. Fauna helmintológica de bovinos da região de Jaboticabal, Estado de São Paulo, Brasil. Semina: Ciências Agrárias, 22, 49–53.
Coles, G.C., Jackson, F., Pomroy, W.E., Prichard RK, von Samson-Himmelstjerna G, Silvestre A, Taylor MA, Vercruysse J. 2006. The detection of anthelmintic resistance in nematodes of veterinary importance, Veterinary Parasitology, 136, 167-85.
Feliz, D. C. 2011. Anthelmintic resistance of gastrointestinal nematodes in beef cattle in the Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil 51pp. Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Brazil.
Gennari, S. M., Vieira Bressan, M. C. R., Rogero, J. R., MacLean, J. M. and Duncan, J. L. 1991. Pathophysiology of Haemonchus placei infection in calves. Veterinary Parasitology, 38, 163–172.
Gordon, H.M. and Whitlock, H.V. 1939. A new technique for counting nematode eggs in sheep faeces, Journal of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, 12, 50–52.
Leite, R.C., Oliveira, P.R., Caproni Jr., L., Umehara, O., Gonçalves, L.C.B. and Derozier, C. 2000. Comparative productivity of growing cattle treated with two injections of doramectin (200 mcg/kg) or one injection of ivermectin (630 mcg/kg) for parasite control, Brazilian Journal of Veterinary Parasitology, 9, 109–113.
Louvandini , H., Rodrigues, R.R., Gennari, S.M., McManus , C.M and Vitti, D.M.S.S. 2009. Phosphorus kinetics in calves experimentally submitted to a trickle infection with Cooperia punctata, Veterinary Parasitology, 163, 47–51.
Nicolau, C. V. J., Amarante, A. F. T., Rocha, G. P. and Godoy, W. A. C. 2002. Relação entre desempenho e infecções por nematódeos gastrintestinais em bovinos Nelore em crescimento, Arquivo Brasileiro de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, 54, 351–357.
Pinheiro, A.C., Alves-Branco, F.P.J. and Sapper, M.F.M. 2000. Programa básico de orientação para o controle da verminose dos bovinos de corte no Rio Grande do Sul. In: Controle dos principais ectoparasitos e endoparasitos em bovinos de corte no Rio Grande do Sul. Série Documentos nº 18. Embrapa Pecuária Sul, Bagé, RS. 39–54.
Roberts, F.H.S and O’Sullivan, J.P. 1950. Methods for egg counts and larval cultures for strongyles infesting the gastrointestinal tract of cattle, Australian Journal of Agricultural Research, 1, 99.
Santos, T.R, Lopes, W.D.Z., Buzulini, C., Borges, F.A., Sakamoto, C.A.M., Lima, R.C.A., Oliveira, G.P. and Costa, A.J. 2010. Helminth fauna of bovines from the Central-Western region, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. Ciência Rural, 49, 934–938.
Smith, G., Grenfell, B.T., Isham, V. and Cornell, S. 1999. Anthelmintic resistance revisited: under-dosing, chemoprophylactic strategies, and mating probabilities, International Journal for Parasitology, 29, 77–91.
Soutello, R. G. V., Seno, M. C. Z. and Amarante, A. F. T. 2007. Anthelmintic resistance in cattle nematodes in northwestern São Paulo State, Brazil, Veterinary Parasitology, 148, 360–364.
Souza, A. P., Ramos, C. I., Bellato, V., Sartor, A. P. and Schelbauer, C. A. 2008. Resistência de helmintos gastrintestinais de bovinos a anti-helmínticos no Planalto Catarinense, Ciência Rural, 38, 1363–1367.
Stromberg, B.E., Gasbarre, L.C., Waite, A., Bechtol, D.T., Brown, M.S., Robinson, N.A., Olson, E.J. and Newcomb, H. 2012. Cooperia punctata: Effect on cattle productivity? Veterinary Parasitology, 183, 284– 291.
Sutherland, I.A. and Leathwick, D.M. 2011 Epub 2010. Anthelmintic resistance in nematode parasites of cattle: a global issue? Trends in Parasitology, 27(4):176–81.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Borges, F.A., Almeida, G.D., Heckler, R.P. et al. Anthelmintic resistance impact on tropical beef cattle productivity: effect on weight gain of weaned calves. Trop Anim Health Prod 45, 723–727 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-012-0280-4
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-012-0280-4