title: The use of a gamma-type function to assess the relationship between the number of adult Teladorsagia circumcincta and total egg output.
abstract: The relationship between faecal nematode egg count and the number of adult Teladorsagia circumcincta was examined in 508 naturally infected lambs at 6-7 months of age. The relationship was found to be convex and was empirically described by a gamma-type function of the form y = an(b) e(-cn), where n is the number of adult nematodes present and y is the number of nematode eggs per gramme (epg) of faeces. This equation predicted that the peak expected egg count (277 epg) would occur at a worm burden of 2,167 adult worm is consistent with the existence of severe density-dependent constraints on the fecundity of T. circumcincta.
authors.affiliation: Roslin Institute (Edinburgh), Roslin, Midlothian, Scotland, UK.
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Bishop
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Stear
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility; D008297:Male; D009348:Nematoda / Q000502:physiology*; D009349:Nematode Infections / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D010270:Parasite Egg Count / Q000662:veterinary*; D012756:Sheep; D012757:Sheep Diseases / Q000469:parasitology*