title: Performance and Parasitology of Semi-intensively Managed West African Dwarf Sheep Exposed to Gastrointestinal Helminth Infected Paddocks and Varied Protein-energy Feeds.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The performance and parasitology of semi-intensively managed West African dwarf (WAD) lambs were evaluated following exposure to gastrointestinal helminth infected paddock and varied protein-energy feeds.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty four lambs obtained from the Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics and brought to Directorate of University farm (DUFARM) of Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, Ogun state, Nigeria, where the research was carried out in 2014, were grouped into four each containing six animals based on different energy-protein feed combination thus; group 1(G1) low energy low protein, group 2 (G2) low energy high protein, group 3 (G3) high energy low protein and group 4 (G4) high energy high protein. Experimental animals were supplemented with concentrate feed after grazing on daily in a nematode infected paddock. Clinical signs of infection were monitored. Live weight, faecal egg count (FEC), worm counts, packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin concentration (Hb) and red blood cell count (RBC) were determined using standard methods.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Anorexia and intermittent diarrhea were the observed signs. Worm counts did not differ significantly (P=0.309) among the groups. The weight and FEC differed significantly (P<0.05) across the days and among the groups, while haematological parameters increased significantly (P<0.05) across the days and among the groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Lambs in G2 followed by G4 showed improved parameters and superior performance when compared to the other groups. It is therefore recommended that feed high in protein content is capable of mitigating deleterious effect of gastrointestinal helminth parasitism.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Adekayode Olarinwaju
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Sonibare
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Production and Health, College of Animal Science and Livestock Production, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Olusiji Sunday
authors.initials: OS
authors.lastname: Sowande
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Production and Health, College of Animal Science and Livestock Production, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Shamusideen Oladeinde
authors.initials: SO
authors.lastname: Iposu
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Joshua
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Luka
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Production and Health, College of Animal Science and Livestock Production, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ayankosoi
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Adeniyi Olugbega
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Egbetade
keywords: Feed supplement; Helminth; Parasitology; Performance; WAD sheep