Prevalence of gastro-intestinal parasitic infections in Sheep of Kashmir valley of India

Background: Geologically the J&K state (2, 22, 800 sq. kms) is both complex and varied. Climatic conditions of the state ranges from sub-tropical (Jammu), temperate (Kashmir) to cold artic (Ladakh) zones and belongs to the great Himalayan mountain range, which exerts significant influence on its agro-climatic conditions. Gastrointestinal parasitism is a major problem in sheep production worldwide, these parasites cause diarrhea, anaemia, reduced weight gain and increased production costs. Materials and Methods: Five hundred fecal samples of sheep (Ovis aries) were taken from two farms. All fecal samples were examined to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites. Direct microscopic examination, Centrifugation floatation and Sedimentation techniques were used to examine fecal samples. Results: Overall prevalence rate was 62.9%. most commonly encountered parasites were Strongyle spp., Strongyloides spp., Eimeria spp., Nematodirus spp., and Monezia spp. was 24.61, 15.5, 9.8, 9.0 and 3.3%, respectively. The highest prevalence of G.I parasites was recorded during monsoon season (March - May) followed by summer season (June – August) whereas the lowest prevalence was recorded during winter season. Analysis of the data on the basis of sex revealed a significant difference (P<0.05) in the overall incidence of gastrointestinal parasites between male (75.6%) and female (44.8%) sheep. The maximum infection was observed in younger age groups compared to adults (P<0.05). The prevalence of different species of endoparasites also varied in sheep of different body weight groups (P<0.05). The highest infection was observed in Kashmir Marino breed than corriedale breed. Conclusion: The data obtained in this study suggest that the age, sex, body weight and breed are important factors which influence the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites. Key wards: climate, economy, faecal sample, Kashmir valley, parasite, prevalence, sheep


Introduction
Sheep is unique to the economy of the Kashmir for its wool, mutton, hides and manure.The typical extensive The state of Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) belongs to and trans-human (migratory) managemental system of the great Himalayan mountain range, which exerts domestic animals in Kashmir, especially sheep, gives significant influence on its agro-climatic conditions.it a specific significance to be studied in depth Geologically the J&K state (2, 22, 800 sq.kms) is both regarding animal adaptability to the extremes of the complex and varied.Climatic conditions of the state environment [2].The state is placed at the highest level ranges from sub-tropical (Jammu), temperate (Kashmir) with regard to production of fine type of raw wool in to cold artic (Ladakh) zones [1].Ruminant animal the country.About 14 lac people mainly comprising of production, large as well as small, in the lower reaches Gujjar, Bakerwals, Chopans and Marginal farmers are of Kashmir and the valleys of Jammu region is intensive involved in rearing of sheep and goats in the state.whereas in mountainous areas, large number are kept Gastrointestinal parasitism is one of the major under nomadic regime and animals are well adapted to health problems severely limiting the productivity of variety of climatic, parasitic and husbandry conditions.dairy animals in the Himalayan and other hilly regions of small ruminants results in low productivity due to Direct microscopic examination, centrifugation stunted growth, poor weight gain and poor feed floatation and sedimentation techniques were used to utilization [6].Helminthiasis adversely affects ruminants, examine fecal samples [16].causing hematological, biochemical disturbances, Statistical analysis: In order to see the magnitude of anorexia, weight loss, poor reproductive performance, variation in the prevalence of endoparsites among and even death of lambs [7,8].In Kashmir parasitism sheep of various groups, the data were analyzed is one of the major threats for livestock, especially statistically using Chi square test.causing obstacles to the development of a profitable sheep industry [9].Gastrointestinal parasites decrease Results the resistance to diseases and even cause severe Strongyle spp.was significantly (χ2=62.12,P=0.00) mortality thus leading to heavy loss [10].These loses most prevalent than Strongyloides spp., Eimeria spp., were estimated at 48.4 million Ethiopian Birr per year Nematodirus spp.and Monezia spp.(Table1).The of which 46.5, 48.8 and 4.7% were due to mortality, maximum incidence of Strongyle group was recorded productivity (weight loss and reproductive problems) in both gender, followed by Strongyloides spp., and live condemnation, respectively.A decrease in Eimeria spp., Nematodirus spp.and Monezia spp.profitability up to 15% and weight loss up to 50% due respectively (Table 2).But the parasites spp.were to gastrointestinal parasites have been reported more prevalent in male hosts as compared to female [11].Although, work has been done on endoparasites hosts (χ2= 7.95, df = 3, P=0.047). of sheep in Kashmir [12][13][14][15].Keeping in view the importance of gastrointestinal endoparasites in February 2011 to January 2012.A total of 500 sheep examined (n=500).The prevalence of various GIT parasites including 250 males and 250 females were taken from differed significantly (χ2 =62.12, df 3, P=0.00).

two farms, Sheep Research Station (SRS) Shuhama
The results of relationships between age and Srinagar of Faculty of Veterinary Sciences & Animal endoparasites of sheep are shown in (Table 3).The Husbandry (F.V. Sc & A.H), Sher-e-Kashmir University highest prevalence rate of GIT parasite occurred in of Agricultural Sciences & Technology of Kashmir younger age groups while the lowest prevalence was SKUAST-K India & SRS Dachigam sheep Husbandry recorded in older age groups.The results represents Department Srinagar Kashmir India were examined that younger animal had significantly higher for the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites.Depending prevalence than older animals (χ2= 381.0, df = 25, upon the age, these animals were divided into six P=0.000)The relationship between body weight and groups, viz.12-24 (n=90), 25-37 (n=105), 38-50 (n=120), endoparasites of sheep was recorded (Table 4).The 51-63(n=50), 64-76 (n=85) and 77-89 months (n=50) data indicated the prevalence of Strongyle spp., with four body weight groups i.e. 14-24 (n=105), 25-Strongyloides spp., Eimeria spp., Nematodirus spp.35 (n=220), 36-46 (n=130) and >46kg (n=45) and Monezia spp.were maximum in lower body belonged to two breeds i.e.Corriedale (n=270) and weight groups, as compared to the animals with Kashmir Marino (n=230).The relationship between normal body weight.Hence prevalence of G.I different groups of the host and GIT parasites were parasites was significantly higher in lower body studied.From each animal under study, 5 to 10 grams weight animals (χ2=22.45,df=12, P=0.033).The of fecal material was collected directly from the results of relationship between different breeds and gastrointestinal parasite revealed the highest infection parasites recovered during present investigation have in Kashmir Marino 73/250 (29.22%) as compared to been reported by various researchers in different parts Corriedale 66/250 (26.51%)but the difference was non of the world [4, 6,17,18,19].The prevalence recorded significant (χ2= 0.259, df=1, P=0.611).
in the present study was similar to the studies reported by Nwosu, et al.

Discussion
sheep varies in different parts of the world.A variety of A total of 500 sheep were examined, out of which factors like grazing habits, level of education and economic 311 were found to contain various GIT parasites.The capacity of the farmers, standard of management and overall prevalence rate was 62.9%.Prevalence of, anthelmintic used can influence the prevalence of Strongyle spp.Strongyloides, Eimeria, Nematodirus, helminths.Prevailing agro-climatic conditions like and Monezia spp. was 24.61, 15.5, 9.8, 9.0 and 3.3%, overstocking of animals, grazing of young and adult respectively.The highest prevalence of G.I parasites animals together with poorly drained land provide an was recorded during monsoon season (March -May) ideal condition for the transmission of endoparasites followed by summer season (June -August) whereas to build up clinical infestation of the host [18].the lowest prevalence was recorded during winter All the livestock in the area under investigation season.The increase in their prevalence during summer largely depend on grazing in deteriorated rang-lands.may be due to increase in humidity and availability of It was also observed that farms in these areas lack favorable temperature.The various species of endofences and cattle, sheep and goats use the same pasture  In conclusion, the present study indicated that puberty, and no difference was observed prior to sex, age, body weight and breed are important factors puberty.He also reported that these differences may be which influence the prevalence of gastrointestinal due to a stimulatory effect of estrogens on immune parasitic infection in sheep in Kashmir Valley.The responses and that androgens may actually have an infections may be very important economically leading opposite effect [21].The influence of sex on the to retarded growth; reduced productivity and animals susceptibility of animals to infections could also be are more susceptible to other infections.However, the attributed to genetic predisposition and differential combination of strategic use of anthelmintics with susceptibility owing to hormonal control.Testosterone traditional veterinary medicine and good management is known for its immunosuppressive activity [22], and could improve the control of gastrointestinal parasitic this has often been invoked as the major reason for the infection in sheep.higher susceptibility of males to vide variety of infectious diseases [23].
To cite this article:Bhat  SA, Mir MUR, Qadir S, Allaie IM, Khan HM, Husain I, Sheikh BA (2012) Prevalence of gastro-intestinal parasitic infections in Sheep of Kashmir valley of India, Vet World, 5(11): 667-671, doi: 10.5455/vetworld.2012.667-671 of India [3].Parasitic infections especially gastro-rectum.Samples were brought to the Parasitology & intestinal nematode and trematode pose a serious Biochemistry Laboratories, Division of Veterinary health threat and limit the productivity of livestock due Parasitology & Division of Biochemistry respectively, to the associated morbidity, mortality, cost of treatment of F.V. Sc & A.H. (SKUAST-K), for identification of and control measures [4,5].The prevalence of helminths eggs / larvae of different gastrointestinal parasites.

Table -
1. Overall prevalence of Gastrointestinal ( G.I) parasites of sheep animals, the present study was executed to investigate the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in sheep G.I Parasites No. of sheep Prevalence (%)reared under traditional husbandry system in Kashmir.Percentage has been calculated from total number of animals

Table - 2
. Relationship between sex and gastrointestinal parasite spp.

Table - 3
. Prevalence of various gastrointestinal parasite spp. of sheep (n=500) in relation to age Parasite spp.were more Prevalent in male hosts as compared to female hosts ( = 7.95, df = 3, P=0.047).χ2 Figures in parenthesis indicate percentage.The prevalence of various GIT parasites in relation to age differed significantly (χ2 =381.00,df=25, P=0.00).

Table - 4
. Relationship between body weights with some gastrointestinal parasites of sheep (n=500) in Kashmir valley Figures in parenthesis indicate percentage.The prevalence of various GIT parasites in relation to body weight differed significantly (χ2=22.45,df=12,P=0.033).forgrazing.Sex wise observations revealed that the present study non significant (P>0.05)relationshipprevalence of gastrointestinal parasites was more in was found in sheep breed and gastrointestinal males (P<0.05)thanfemales.The results of the present parasites.But the result showed Kashmir Marino had slightly higher prevalence than corriedale breed.studyaresupported byKanyari etal.who found Similar results were found by Wildeus, et al. [27] and females were more resistant to infection than males Li, et al [28] reported the highest gastrointestinal after puberty [20] also Raza MA. et al. reported the parasitic infection in Suffolk than gulf coast native same that ram were more susceptible to gastrointestinal breeds of sheep in Gulf Coast region of United State.parasites parasite as compared to ewe [7].Lashari et al [5] reviewed the effect of host sex on resistance levels