Efficiency of sulphur in garlic extract and non-sulphur homeopathy in the control of the cattle tick Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus.
The objective of the present work was to evaluate the efficacy of a non-sulphur-based homeopathic preparation and a sulphur-containing natural product derived from Allium sativum (Linnaeus) against infestation by the cattle tick Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (Canestrini) (Acari: Ixodidae). A total of 24 crossbred calves (7 : 8 Holstein : Zebu), aged 6-8 months and maintained in individual stables under tick-free conditions, were divided into three groups. Group 1 (control group) received no treatment; Group 2 was treated with 0.01 g/day of the homeopathic preparation Fator C&MC(®), and Group 3 was treated with 20 g/day of Enxofre-Allium sativum(®). After adaptation to the diet for 1 month, each calf was subjected to artificial infestation with 8000 R. (B.) microplus larvae (aged 7-14 days) twice per week over a 5-month period. Numbers of engorged females were recorded every 14 days and samples of freely released engorged females were collected at 14-day intervals commencing 3 months after the start of the experiment. The engorged females were weighed, incubated for 15 days under biochemical oxygen demand conditions at 27 ± 1 °C and relative humidity >85%, and the weights of the egg masses produced were recorded. Other biological parameters, including reproduction estimate, reduction in oviposition and efficiency of treatment, were determined. A significant reduction in the number of engorged females was detected on animals treated with Enxofre-Allium sativum(®) (Group 3) in comparison with the other two groups. The overall efficiency of the treatment with the sulphur-containing product was 64%, whereas that of the homeopathic preparation was 26%. Under the experimental conditions established, Enxofre-Allium sativum(®) can reduce the intensity of the R. (B.) microplus infestation.
Costa
L M
LM
Curso de Zootecnia, Centro de Ciências Agrárias e Ambientais, Universidade Federal do Maranhão, Chapadinha, Maranhão, Brazil. livioslz@yahoo.com
Furlong
J
J
D000818:Animals; D001096:Arachnid Vectors / Q000187:drug effects; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005737:Garlic / Q000633:toxicity; D006705:Homeopathy / Q000662:veterinary*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D048494:Rhipicephalus / Q000187:drug effects*; D013455:Sulfur / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013984:Tick Infestations / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*
D010936:Plant Extracts; D013455:Sulfur