Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences
J. Anim. Plant Sci. [ISSN 2071 - 7024]
Volume 20(1): 3048 - 3055. Published November, 2013.
Reproductive Effects of Experimental Fasciola gigantica Infection in First Trimester Pregnant Yankasa Ewes
1 J.Y. Adama, 2 N. Chiezey, 3 O.J. Ajanusi, and 3 A. Lawal
1Department of Animal Production, Federal University of
Technology, P.M.B 65 Minna, Niger State, Nigeria
(Email-adama_live@yahoo.com , 08057O58455)
2National Animal Production Research Institute, Shika, A.B.U Zaria
3Department of Veterinary Parasitology and Entomology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, A.B.U. Zaria
Key words: Fasciola gigantica, course of pregnancy, first trimester,Yankasa ewes and abortion rate.
1 SUMMARY
The reproductive effects of Fasciola gigantica infection on course of
pregnancy in the first trimester of Yankasa ewes aged 10-12
months were determined for a period of 7 weeks. Two week-baseline data
were obtained and the ewes were synchronized for estrus using PGF2α
(5mg/ml) while 2 intact rams were introduced for detection of estrus
and breeding. Pregnancy was confirmed by measurement of progesterone
levels (0.5 – 1.00ng/ml) and non-return to estrus 21 days
post-breeding. Each of the five animals in the infected group was
inoculated orally with 500 Fasciola gigantica metacercariae while the
ewes in the control group were each given the same volume of distilled
water. Eosinophilia was marked among the infected ewes and eosinophilic
response was highest between weeks 4 to 7 of infection. Abortion rate
of forty percent (40%) was observed among the infected animals at week
2 and 3 post-infections, respectively. Marked lower levels of
progesterone were observed among the infected animals when compared to
the controls. It is concluded that Fasciola gigantica has an adverse
effect on course of pregnancy in Yankasa ewes during first trimester.
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