Helminthofauna of the digestive tract of cattle and saiga in West Kazakhstan

Abstract

Purpose of the study. This study aims to determine the helminthofauna of cattle and saiga and identify the main types of helminths in the region of West Kazakhstan. Materials and methods. To study the infestation of cattle and saiga by helminths, the authors used the Fulleborn flotation method. The identification of strangulate to the genus was carried out on the basis of the morphological structure of infective larvae according to P. F. Polyakov and the method of helminthological dissection according to K. I. Skryabin. Thelazia were washed out of the conjunctival sac with a syringe with a stream of a 3% solution of boric acid. Parenchymal organs (liver, lungs) were examined for the detection of cysts of larval custodies. Results and discussion. Common helminth fauna was observed in cattle and saigas in West Kazakhstan. The results of Fulleborn helminthic and ovoscopic studies of animal feces showed that cattle and saigas were infested with strangylata of the digestive tract of the Trichostrongylidae family from the genera Nematodirus, Haemonchus, Trichostrongylus, as well as the larval cestodoses of Echinococcus granulosus (larvae). Prevalence of cattle infestation with digestive tract strongylata averaged 31.3% and with E. granulosus (larvae) — 35.8%. Prevalence of the infestation of saigas with the nematodes of the digestive tract was 32.0% and with larval cestodoses averaged 16.5%. The contacts of saigas and cattle in pasture areas lead to a common composition of helminths. Saigas are a natural reservoir and a constant source of helminth infestation for domestic ruminants in the West Kazakhstan region. Therefore, when planning treatment and prophylactic measures against helminth infections, this factor should be taken into account. Conclusions. In West Kazakhstan, nine species of helminths were found in cattle, and fourteen species were found in saigas of the Ural population. All species belong to the classes Cestoda and Nematoda. The contacts of saigas and cattle in pasture areas lead to a common composition of helminths. Novelty of study. This is the first comparative analysis of the helminth fauna of cattle and saiga. The authors have determinedthe prevalence and intensity of infestation of the main helminths in the saiga organism in the conditions of West Kazakhstan.