Relationship between nutritionally-related blood metabolites and gastrointestinal parasites in nguni goats of South Africa

Abstract

The objective of the study was to determine the relationship between faecal egg counts and nutritionally-related blood metabolites in Nguni goats of South Africa. Body weights, body condition scores (BCS), FAMACHA scores, faecal and blood samples were collected from 96 Nguni castrates. Faecal samples were analysed using the modified McMaster technique for nematodes and the sedimentation method for trematodes. Blood was analysed for packed cell volume (PCV), glucose, cholesterol, total protein, albumin, urea and creatinine. Season had an effect on glucose, globulin, total protein, creatinine, PCV and faecal egg counts (FEC). Globulin, PCV, creatinine and FEC were significantly higher in the wet season compared to the dry season. A quadratic relationship existed between faecal egg count loads and BCS whilst negative linear relationships were observed between faecal egg counts and creatinine, albumin and cholesterol levels of Nguni goats.