Influence of breed on susceptibility of goats to natural infection with Haemonchus contortus

Abstract

The influence of breed on susceptibility to natural infection with Haenzonchus contortus infection was compared in 12-15 months old Barbari, Jamunapari and local hill goats. The local hill goats exhibited highest weight gain of 1.42 kg on 14 days post infection (DPI) compared to other breeds. The mean haemoglobin and pev values of local hill goats remained significantly higher than other breeds of goats from 30 to 70 DPI. The mean eosinophil count and mean serum albumin values were significantly higher in local hill goats than other 2 breeds from 10 to 70 DPI and 20 DPI, respectively. The mean serum calcium was significantly lower for local hill goats than Jamunapari on 20 DPI but significantly higher than Barbari on 70 DPI. Mean serum iron levels were significantly higher for local hill than Barbari and Jamunapari on day 10 to 30 and on day 10, 20, 30 and 60, respectively, whereas mean copper values were significantly higher than Barbari goats on 10, 30, 40, 60 and 70 DPI. However, no significant differences were observed in serum zinc levels alTIOng breeds. The above parasitological, haemato-biochemical investigations suggested that local hill goats were more resistant to natural infection of H. contortus than Barbari and Jamunapari.