Pathophysiology of gastrointestinal trichostrongyles in sheep: plasma losses and changes in plasma pepsinogen levels associated with parasite challenge of immune animals.
The pathophysiological effects of experimental larval challenge with a mixed trichostrongyle infection were measured in ewes which had previously grazed contaminated pasture. Their immune status was confirmed by low worm burdens, both before and after challenge. Despite the low worm burdens, it was evident that larval challenge was associated with marked pathophysiological disturbances and, in particular, a doubling of plasma pepsinogen levels, albumin catabolism and losses of plasma protein into the gastrointestinal tract. The concurrent timing of these changes suggested they had a common aetiology. These findings indicate that larval challenge of such animals may cause impaired production, despite low parasite burdens.
D000818:Animals; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D004064:Digestive System / Q000378:metabolism*; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D010270:Parasite Egg Count / Q000662:veterinary; D010435:Pepsinogens / Q000097:blood*; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000378:metabolism; D012756:Sheep; D012757:Sheep Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000469:parasitology; D014252:Trichostrongyloidiasis / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*
D001798:Blood Proteins; D010435:Pepsinogens; D012709:Serum Albumin