The effect of daily infection with O. circumcincta larvae on the performance of pregnant and lactating sheep

V. Leyva, A.E. Henderson, A.R. Sykes

Lincoln University, Canterbury

Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production. 1981, 41: 279-282

During pregnancy infection developed to maturity, resulting in positive faecal egg counts in only 15% of sheep whereas during lactation it occurred in all sheep. Abomasal damage, judged by plasma pepsinogen concentrations occurred during both periods.

There were no significant effects of infection during pregnancy on feed intake, bodyweight change, wool production or lamb birthweight. During lactation, infection reduced feed intake by 16%, milk production by 16% and wool growth and fibre diameter by 21% and 8%, respectively, and increased liveweight loss by 100%.

Keywords: NZSAPAB;