title: Effect of sub-lethal doses of albendazole on the fecundity of Dictyocaulus viviparus.
abstract: During an evaluation of the efficacy of prolonged low-dose albendazole therapy on nematode infections in calves, it was observed that a dose-rate of 2 mg kg-1 given daily for 10 days was highly effective at expelling Dictyocaulus viviparus, but smaller doses suppressed the faecal output of larvae without killing the lungworms. A more detailed study with four experimentally infected calves given 1 mg kg-1 day-1 for 10 days showed that faecal output of larvae ceased after six to eight days but resumed four to six days after the withdrawal of the drug. The albendazole-induced sterility was therefore reversible. A subsidiary study showed that the strain of parasite used was fully susceptible to albendazole.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Infectious Diseases, Royal Veterinary College (University of London), Hatfield, Hertfordshire.
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Osman
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Jacobs
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Fisher
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Pilkington
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Jones
mesh_terms: D015766:Albendazole / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D000871:Anthelmintics / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002417:Cattle; D004021:Dictyocaulus / Q000502:physiology*; D004022:Dictyocaulus Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005298:Fertility / Q000187:drug effects; D007814:Larva; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D000871:Anthelmintics; D015766:Albendazole