Calliandra calothyrsus and Artocarpus heterophyllus as anti-parasite for Bligon Goat

This study investigated the nutritional potency and efficacy of tannin-containing forages as anti-parasites sources to support the performance of female Bligon goats. Fifteen female Bligon goats were divided into 3 different groups based on feeding treatments. The first group (KG) served as the control and was fed 100% king grass (dry matter basis). The second group (KGC) was fed 50% king grass and 50% Calliandra calothyrsus leaves (dry matter basis). The third group (KGA) was fed 50% king grass and 50% Artocarpus heterophyllus leaves (dry matter basis). The study showed that supplementation with tannin-containing forages could improve feed consumption and the digestibility of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), and crude protein (CP). The groups that received tannin-containing forages had higher body weight gains at 22.85 g/day and 29.52 g/day for KGC and KGA respectively than the control group. The anti-parasites effects were successfully indicated by the declining number of coccidian oocysts in the feces (number/gram feces), which were 3,166; 841; and 450 for KG, KGC, and KGA respectively. Tannin-containing forage supplementation could improve the consumption and digestibility of DM, OM and CP. Supplementation improved the daily body weight gain. The number of coccidian oocysts in animals receiving supplementation was also reduced. The greatest effects on fecal coccidian oocyst reduction were attained with Jackfruit leaves (Artocarpus heterophyllus) supplementation

Affiliative social relationships and coccidian oocyst excretion in a cooperatively breeding bird species

In group living animals, behavioural interactions with conspecifics strongly modulate an individual’s physiological stress response. Stable social relationships may reduce an individual’s stress response, which in turn can affect the immune system and health. Ultimately, positive health effects of stable social bonds may contribute to maintain group living. We investigated whether, in cooperatively breeding carrion crows (Corvus corone), the quality of social relationships correlates with coccidian oocyst and nematode eggs excretion. We repeatably collected behavioural data on dyadic social interactions and individual droppings to quantify parasite eggs and oocysts from 36 individuals in a captive population of carrion crows in northern Spain. Individuals with strong social bonds, living with more relatives and in larger groups excreted a significantly smaller proportion of droppings containing coccidian oocysts. The probability to excrete droppings containing nematode eggs was not affected by social factors. The relationship between social interactions and coccidian oocyst excretion is consistent with the idea that high quality social relationships can positively affects individual’s health, setting the stage for the evolution of stable social living.

Diurnal cycle of Isospora spp. oocyst shedding in Eurasian blackbirds (Turdus merula)

Diurnal fluctuations in the appearance of parasites have been recognized for more than 60 years but have been largely ignored in studies examining the role of parasites in connection with evolutionary aspects of behaviour, ecology, and population dynamics. The disregard of diurnal fluctuations, however, can influence the reliability and interpretation of data. I examined shedding of Isospora spp. oocysts in faeces of naturally infected, free-living Eurasian blackbirds (Turdus merula L., 1758). Adult birds and nestlings shed coccidian oocysts (Isospora spp.) predominantly in the afternoon. The results are in agreement with earlier studies on coccidian oocyst shedding in other bird species. They are discussed with regard to these studies and to practical implications for future investigators in this field.

Coccidian oocyst and nematode egg counts of free-ranging African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) in the Kruger National Park, South Africa : research communication

Faecal specimens collected in the Kruger National Park from 103 African buffaloes (Syncerus caffer) up to 1 year old and 283 buffaloes older than 1 year were examined for the presence of coccidian oocysts and nematode eggs. Most specimens from animals older than 1 year had negative coccidian oocyst counts. Positive specimens from younger animals had significantly higher coccidian oocyst counts than those from older animals. No such difference was found for nematode egg counts.

Cloning of the entire COWP gene of Cryptosporidium parvum and ultrastructural localization of the protein during sexual parasite development

Molecular cloning and immunoelectron microscopy have been used to clone the full-length gene encoding Cryptosporidium parvum oocyst wall protein (COWP) and to analyse at the ultrastructural level the expression and localization of COWP during development in the gut. COWP is 1622 amino acids long, has a typical leader peptide and consists of 2 amino acidic domains each containing distinct repeated elements possibly originating from a common ancestral precursor. Electron microscopy localized COWP in a large cytoplasmic inclusion and in the wall-forming bodies of early and late macrogametes, respectively. Ultrastructural analysis of double-walled sporulating and mature oocysts indicated that COWP is selectively localized in the inner layer of the oocyst wall. This study provides the first localization at the ultrastructural level of a cloned coccidian oocyst wall protein.