Effect of Haemonchus contortus Infection on Physiological and Immunological Characters in Local Awassi Sheep and Black Iraqi Goats

Abstract

This study was designed to find out and comprise the blood picture and resistance to Haemonchus
contortus infection in Awassi sheep and Black Iraqi goats. Ten lambs and ten kids of age 8-9 months
were used and each kind divided into two groups, infected (n=6) and control (n=4). Infected animals
were drenched with 500L3/ Kg. BW. Fecal egg count (FEC) using modified McMaster technique
were carried out and blood samples were collected weekly, for 11 weeks, to evaluate PCV, Hb, total
serum protein, serum albumin, serum globulin, WBC counts and it’s differential and serum
immunoglobulin.
The results of FEC showed that the worm eggs were detected17-21 days post- infection and the kids
revealed a partial self- cure and highly resistance to the infection than lambs. Infected animals showed
a significant reduction in PCV, Hb, total serum protein, albumin and globulin, WBC counts, ratio of
neutrophil cells and N/L index, while there were a significant increase in acidophil, monocytes, and
lymphocytes cells ratio and serum immunoglobulin level compared with control groups. Moreover,
infected lambs were more affected than kids.