Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Gastrointestinal nematode infection in beef cattle raised in silvopastoral and conventional systems in São Paulo state, Brazil

  • Published:
Agroforestry Systems Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The use of silvopastoral systems (SPS) can be a good alternative to reduce the environmental impacts of livestock breeding in Brazil. Despite the advantages offered by public policies, many producers hesitate to use this system. One of the reasons is the lack of information on health and productivity of cattle raised under these conditions. The experiment reported here was designed to compare the behavior of infection by gastrointestinal nematodes and weight gain of beef cattle raised in a SPS and a conventional pasture system. We monitored the number of eggs per gram of feces, the prevalent nematode genus, data on climate, forage availability, weight gain and packed cell volume (PCV) of the animals bred in the two systems. The infection by nematodes was significantly higher in the cattle raised in the SPS (p < 0.05). The coprocultures revealed the presence of nematodes of the genera Haemonchus, Cooperia, Oesophagostomum and Trichostrongylus, in both systems, but the mean infestation rates of Haemonchus and Cooperia were higher in the SPS (p < 0.05). The average of PCV values did not differ between the cattle in the two systems. The individual weight gain and stocking rate in the period did not vary between the systems (p > 0.05). Despite the higher prevalence of nematodes in the SPS, no negative impact was detected on the animals’ weight gain and health. The results of this experiment indicate that under the conditions studied, there is no need to alter the parasite management to assure good productive performance of cattle.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Aguilar J, Rumiatto MA, Kruker JM,da Silva CA, de Calheiros RO (1986) Sistema de programas, em linguagem basic, para cálculo da evapotranspiração potencial por meio de métodos indiretos e do balanço hídrico-climático. EMBRAPA-UEPAE Dourados, Dourados. http://ainfo.cnptia.embrapa.br/digital/bitstream/item/65885/1/CPAO-DOC.-23-86.pdf. Accessed 25 Sept 2015

  • Andrade CMS, Salman AKD, Oliveira TK (2012) Guia arbopasto: manual de identificação e seleção de espécies arbóreas para sistemas silvipastoris. Embrapa, Brasília

    Google Scholar 

  • Araujo RN, Lima WS (2005) Infecções helmínticas em um rebanho leiteiro na região do Campo das Vertentes de Minas Gerais. Arq Bras Med Vet Zootec 57(2):186–193

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Athanasiadou S, Kyriazakis I, Jackson F, Coop RL (2000) Effects of short-term exposure to condensed tannins on adult Trichostrongylus colubriformis. Vet Rec 146:728–732

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Baumgard LH, Rhoads RP Jr (2013) Effects of heat stress on post absorptive metabolism and energetics. Annu Rev Anim Biosci 1:311–337

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bernabucci U, Lacetera N, Baumgard LH, Rhoads RP, Ronchi B, Nardone A (2010) Metabolic and hormonal acclimation to heat stress in domesticated ruminants. Animal 4:1167–1183

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Blackshaw JK, Blackshaw AW (1994) Heat stress in cattle and the effect of shade on production and behaviour: a review. Aust J Exp Agric 34:285–295

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bricarello PA, Zaros KG, Coutinho LL, Rocha RA, Kooyman E, De Vries E, Gonçalves JRS, Lima LG, Pires AV, Amarante AFT (2007) Field study on nematode resistance in Nelore-breed cattle. Vet Parasitol 148:272–278

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chen CP, Halim RA, Chin FY (1991) Fodder trees and fodder shrubs in range and farming systems of the Asian and Pacific region. In: Speedy A, Pugliese PL (eds) Legume trees and other fodder trees as protein sources for livestock. FAO expert consultation, Kuala Lumpur. http://www.fao.org/DOCREP/003/T0632E/T0632E02.HTM#CH2

  • Civitello DJ, Cohen J, Fatima H, Halstead NT, Liriano J, McMahon TA, Orteg CN, Sauer EL, Sehgal T, Young S, Rohr JR (2015) Biodiversity inhibits parasites: broad evidence for the dilution effect. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 112:8667–8671

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Corwin RM (1997) Economics of gastrointestinal parasitism of cattle. Vet Parasitol 72:451–460

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Di Rienzo JA, Casanoves F, Balzarini MG, Gonzalez L, Tablada M, Robledo CW (2011) InfoStat Grupo InfoStat, FCA. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Argentina. http://www.infostat.com.ar

  • EMBRAPA—Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária, Centro Nacional de Pesquisas de Solos- CNPS (2006) Sistema brasileiro de classificação de Solos, 2nd edn. EMBRAPA Solos, Rio de Janeiro

    Google Scholar 

  • Euclides VPB, Euclides Filho K (1998) Uso de animais na avaliação de forrageiras. Embrapa-CNPGC, Campo Grande (Embrapa-CNPGC. Documentos, 74). http://www.infoteca.cnptia.embrapa.br/infoteca/handle/doc/318251

  • Garcia R, Couto L (1991) Silvopastoral systems: experiências no estado de Minas Gerais. Congresso Brasileiro de Economia e planejamento Florestal 2:102–106

    Google Scholar 

  • Gutteridge RC, Shelton HM (eds) (1994) Forage tree legumes in tropical agriculture. CAB International, Wallingford, p 389

    Google Scholar 

  • Hyun M, Lee J, Lee K, May A, Bohr VA, Ahn B (2008) Longevity and resistance to stress correlate with DNA repair capacity in Caenorhabditis elegans. Nucleic Acids Res 36(4):1380–1389

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • IBGE Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (2006) Censo agropecuário 2006. Brasil. http://www.ibge.gov.br/home/estatistica/economia/agropecuaria/censoagro/brasil_2006/Brasil_censoagro2006.pdf

  • Iqbal Z, Sarwar M, Jabbar A, Ahmed S, Nisa M, Sajid MS, Khan MN, Mufti KA, Yaseen M (2007) Direct and indirect anthelmintic effects of condensed tannins in sheep. Vet Parasitol 144:125–131

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jain NC (1993) Essentials of veterinary hematology. Lea & Febiger, Philadelphia

    Google Scholar 

  • Lettini SE, Sukhdeo MVK (2006) Anhydrobiosis increases survival of trichostrongyle nematodes. J Parasitol 92(5):1002–1009

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Levine ND (1963) Weather climatic and the biomics of ruminant nematode larvae. Adv Vet Sci 8:215–261

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lima WS (1998) Seasonal infection pattern of gastrointestinal nematodes of beef cattle in Minas Gerais state, Brazil. Vet Parasitol 74:203–214

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Martinez J, Merino S (2011) Host-parasite interactions under extreme climatic conditions. Curr Zool 57:390–405

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mendonça RMA, Leite RC, Lana AMQ, Costa JO, Toth G (2014) Parasitic helminth infection in young cattle raised on silvopasture and open-pasture in southeastern Brazil. Agrofor Syst 88:53–62

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Müller PB (1989) Bioclimatologia aplicada aos animais domésticos. Sulina, Porto Alegre

    Google Scholar 

  • Nicolau CVJ, Amarante AFT, Rocha GP, Godoy WAC (2002) Relação entre desempenho e infecções por nematódeos gastrointestinais em bovinos Nelore em crescimento. Arq Bras Med Vet Zootec 54(4):351–357

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Niezen JH, Waghorn TS, Waghorn GC, Charleston WAG (1993) Internal parasites and lamb production: a role for plants containing condensed tannins? Proc NZ Soc Anim Prod 53:235–238

    Google Scholar 

  • O’Connor LJ, Walkden-Brown S, Kahn LP (2006) Ecology of the free-living stages of major trichostrongylid parasites of sheep. Vet Parasitol 142:1–15

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Oliveira MCS, Alencar MM, Chagas ACS, Giglioti R, Oliveira HN (2009) Gastrointestinal nematode infection in beef cattle of different genetic groups in Brazil. Vet Parasitol 166:249–254

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Oliveira MCS, Alencar MM, Giglioti R, Beraldo MCD, Aníbal FF, Correia RO, Boschini L, Chagas ACS, Bilhassi TB, Oliveira HN (2013) Resistance of beef cattle of two genetic groups to ectoparasites and gastrointestinal nematodes in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. Vet Parasitol 197:168–175

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Parkins JJ, Holmes PH (1989) Effects of gastrointestinal helminth parasites on ruminant nutrition. Nutr Res Rev 2:227–246

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Roberts IH, O’Sullivan PJ (1950) Methods for egg counts and larval cultures for strongyles infesting the gastrointestinal tract of cattle. Aus J Agric Res 1:99–102

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schlesinger S (2010) Onde pastar?. O gado bovino no Brasil, Fase

    Google Scholar 

  • Soca M, Simón L, Roque E (2007) Trees and gastrointestinal nematodes in young cattle: a new research approach. Pastos y Forrajes 30:21–32

    Google Scholar 

  • Souza W, Barbosa OR, Marques JA, Gaparino E, Cecato U, Barbero LM (2010) Behavior of beef cattle in silvopastoral systems with eucalyptus. Rev Bras Zootec 39(3):677–684

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Statistical Analysis System (2002/2003) SAS. SAS/STAT. User’s Guide, version 9.1.3

  • Stromberg B (1997) Environmental factors influencing transmission. Vet Parasitol 72:247–264

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Stromberg BE, Gasbarre LC (2006) Gastrointestinal nematode control programs with an emphasis on cattle. Vet Clin Food Anim 22:543–565

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stromberg B, Gasbarre LC, Waite A, Bechtol D, Brown MS, Robinson NA, Olson EJ, Newcomb H (2012) Cooperia punctata: effect on cattle productivity? Vet Parasitol 183:284–291

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Takahashi LS, Biller JD, Takahashi KM (2009) Bioclimatologia Zootécnica. Unesp, Jaboticabal. https://bioclimatologia.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/livro-bioclimatologia-zootc3a9cnica.pdf

  • Thornthwaite CW, Mather JR (1955) The water balance. Publications in climatology, vol 8 No. 1. C.W. Thornthwaite Associates, Elmer

  • Ueno H, Gonçalves PC (1998) Manual para Diagnóstico das Helmintoses dos ruminantes. Jica, Tokyo

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Dijk J, De Louw MDE, Kalis LPA, Morgan ER (2009) Ultraviolet light increases mortality of nematode larvae and can explain patterns of larval availability at pasture. Int J Parasitol 39:1151–1156

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgment

This project was supported by Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP/2012-05858-0) and Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária (EMBRAPA/CPPSE).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Embrapa Pecuária Sudeste, Rodovia Washington, Luiz km 234, São Carlos, SP, Brazil

    M. C. S. Oliveira, M. L. F. Nicodemo, J. R. M. Pezzopane, M. R. Gusmão, A. C. S. Chagas & M. D. Rabelo

  2. Departamento de Zootecnia, UNESP, Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil

    R. Giglioti, T. B. Bilhassi & C. H. Santana

  3. UNICEP, São Carlos, SP, Brazil

    T. C. Gonçalves

  4. Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos, SP, Brazil

    T. A. Néo

Authors
  1. M. C. S. Oliveira
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. M. L. F. Nicodemo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. J. R. M. Pezzopane
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. M. R. Gusmão
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. A. C. S. Chagas
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. R. Giglioti
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. T. B. Bilhassi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. C. H. Santana
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. T. C. Gonçalves
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  10. M. D. Rabelo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  11. T. A. Néo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to M. L. F. Nicodemo.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Oliveira, M.C.S., Nicodemo, M.L.F., Pezzopane, J.R.M. et al. Gastrointestinal nematode infection in beef cattle raised in silvopastoral and conventional systems in São Paulo state, Brazil. Agroforest Syst 91, 495–507 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-016-9950-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-016-9950-y

Keywords

Search

Navigation