Small ruminants play an important socioeconomic role within traditional farming system in many developed and developing countries including India. Goat constitutes an important species of livestock in Asia and contributes greatly to food, rural employment and the gross domestic product (GDP). Internal parasites represent an important cause of disease and loss of production in small ruminants. Most of these infections are sub-clinical and economic losses continuously occur if deworming is not practiced at the strategic time. The most commonly reported adverse effects of gastrointestinal nematodes in goats includes low productivity, decreased weight gain, delay in puberty, impaired digestive efficiency, organ condemnation at slaughter, poor reproductive performance and death of severely infected animals (Tembely et al., 1997). Serum biochemistry and haematological analysis of infected goats have been found to be important and reliable indicator for assessing an animal’s health status and give an assessment of the degree of damage to host tissue as well as severity of infection (Otesile et al., 1991). Therefore, the present investigation was conducted to study the effect of strongylosis on haematological and biochemical profile in goats.

Materials and Method

The present investigation was carried out in the Department of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary  College,  Bidar  for  a  period of 12 months from  April  2016  to March  2017.  Animals were selected after initial screening and divided into 3 groups containing 30 animals in each group. Five grams of faecal sample was collected directly from the rectum of each goat in a clean polythene bag. The faecal samples were analysed by direct smear method for the presence of strongyle eggs. From each group faecal samples were pooled to count strongyle eggs per gram of faeces (EPG) by using Modified Gordon and Whitlock (1939) technique for the group using Mc Master slide. Animals having high level of infection i.e., eggs per gram (EPG) more than 2500 were considered as infected animal and apparently healthy animals in the flock were used as control for comparative haemato-biochemical study.

Blood was collected on the day of presentation from jugular vein in sodium EDTA (anticoagulant) vials for haematological investigation. Haematological parameters such as haemoglobin [Hb (g/dL)], total  erythrocyte count [TEC(×106/µL)], total leucocyte count [TLC (×103/µL)], packed cell volume [PCV (%)], mean corpuscular volume [MCV (fL)], mean corpuscular haemoglobin [MCH (pg)] and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration [MCHC (g/dl)] were determined by utilizing fully automated blood cell counter (PCE-210 (N), ERMA INC, Tokyo, Japan). Differential leukocyte count [DLC (%)] was performed manually as per the procedure described by Coles (1986).

Four millilitre of blood for serum biochemical investigation was collected on the day of presentation with utmost precautions to avoid haemolysis as suggested by Alleman (1990). Serum was separated by centrifugation. Biochemical estimations of the following parameters were carried out by using Artos® semi-automatic biochemical analyser.

Statistical Method

Statistical analysis of data was carried out by employing ONE- and TWO-WAY ANOVA, as per Snedecor and Cochran (1994). Statistically significant difference was considered at 5 per cent level.

Result and Discussion

Haematological Parameters

There was significant decrease (P ≤ 0.05) in haemoglobin, total erythrocyte count and packed cell volume levels whereas, there was significant increase in total leukocyte count and total eosinophil count (P ≤ 0.05) in all the goats affected with strongylosis on the day of presentation  in  comparison  to  the  healthy  control  group  as  enumerated  in  Table1.

Table 1: Mean ± SE values of haematological observations in goats affected with strongylosis in comparison with healthy control

* Mean values bearing different superscript differ significantly (P≤0.05)

The reduction in haemoglobin, packed cell volume and total erythrocyte count was suggestive of anaemia. The present findings were in accordance with the earlier reports of Sharma et al. (2014); Awad et al. (2016). Ability of strongyle worms to adhere to gastrointestinal mucosa and frequent detachments with blood sucking has been attributed as a major cause of blood loss and subsequent anaemia (Soulsby, 1996) which could be correlated to low haemogram values in present study. There was significant increase in total leukocyte count and total eosinophil count (P ≤ 0.05) in strongylosis affected goats which is in agreement with Siddiqua et al. (1990); Blagoje et al. (2016). Increase in the TLC is attributed to an increase in local immune response as described by Ahmed et al. (2015). The rise in eosinophils counts might be due to phagocytic activity of the cell that digest the particulate matter and debris of the parasites as an effect of CMI response. Mean values of neutrophils, lymphocytes and monocytes in strongylosis affected goats showed significant difference compared to healthy control as enumerated in Table 1 but the values remained within normal physiological limits which coroborates similar earlier reports of Ameen et al. (2010); Sharma et al. (2014).

In the present study there was a significant decrease in Mean Corpuscular Volume in goats affected with strongylosis when compared to healthy control as shown in Table1 indicating microcytic anaemia which is in agreement with Nanev et al. (2013); Qasim et al. (2016).  However,  there  was  a  significant  difference  in  Mean  Corpuscular  Haemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) values in affected goats when   compared   to   healthy   control   though   the   values   remained   within   the normal physiological limits indicative of normochromic anaemia which is in agreement with Ameen et al. (2010); Kumar et al. (2015). MCV and MCHC in comparison to other erythrocytic indices  have  been  considered  as  more  sensitive  parameters  to  detect  anaemia  which  is hallmark finding in parasitic infections (Benjamin, 2010).

Biochemical Parameters

There was significant decrease (P ≤ 0.05) in total protein and albumin levels in goats affected with strongylosis in comparison to healthy control group as depicted in Table 2. Lower levels of total serum protein and albumin observed in the present study corroborated with the earlier reports of Pandey et al. (2012); Awad et al. (2016). The low level of protein in gastrointestinal parasitism has been attributed to increased plasma leakage through the injured gut caused by the parasites (Radostits et al., 2007). This loss is predominantly due to selective loss of albumin having smaller size and osmotic sensitivity to fluid movement. Increased catabolism of albumin and protein malabsorption through the damaged intestinal mucosa has been found to aggravate fall in albumin and subsequent decrease in total protein (Tanwar and Mishra, 2001).   In infected goats, A: G ratio value was significantly lower and globulin levels were non significantly higher than the healthy animals which is in agreement with Ahmed et al. (2015). The presence of nematode infection stimulated the host’s immune system resulting in increased synthesis of gamma globulin (Tarazona et al., 1982) which was evident from a decrease in A: G ratio in infested goats in the present investigation.

Table 2: Mean ± SE values of biochemical observations in goats affected with strongylosis in comparison with healthy control

*Mean values bearing different superscript differ significantly (P≤0.05)

Glucose levels were significantly decreased in infested goats compared to healthy control group as shown in Table 2 which is in agreement with Pandey et al. (2012); Kumar et al. (2015). Hypoglycaemia in parasitic gastroenteritis has been attributed to decreased appetite of  animals, decreased absorption of glucose into  the blood stream and rapid absorption and utilization of soluble carbohydrate and lipids from the gut by gastrointestinal nematodes (Arora et al., 2003 and Radostits et al., 2007) where as SGOT levels were significantly increased as depicted in Table 2 which corroborated with the earlier reports of Bordoloi et al. (2012); Kumar et al. (2015). Elevated transaminase levels are suggestive of hepatocellular damage which has been hallmark pathological changes in liver of strongylosis affected goats (Soulsby, 1976).

Conclusion

Haemato-biochemical changes revealed anaemia, increased total leucocyte count with eosinophilia and decreased levels of total proteins, albumin, A: G ratio, serum glucose and elevated levels of globulin and SGOT on the day of presentation in all the goats affected with strongylosis.

Acknowledgement

The authors humbly thank the authorities of KVAFSU for providing funds and facilities in carrying out the research work.

References

1. Alleman, A R. (1990). The effect of haemolysis and lipemia on serum biochemical constituents. J. Vet Med. 85, 1272-1284.
2. Ameen, S. A., Joshua, R. A., Adedeji, O. S., Ojedapo, L. O. and Amao, S. R. (2010).Experimental Studies on Gastro-Intestinal Nematode Infection; The Effects of Age on Clinical Observations and Haematological Changes Following Haemonchus contortus Infection in West African Dwarf (WAD) Goats. World J. Agric. Sci. 6 (1), 39-43.
3. Arora, N., Kumar, A., and Sharma, S. D. (2003). Effect bursate worm infestation on blood profiles in goats and sheep. Vet. Sci., 80, 1116-1119.
4. Awad, A. , Almass, M. A. and Dakheel, H. H. (2016). Some haematological and biochemical parameters assessments in sheep infection by Haemonchus contortus. Tikrit Journal of Pure Science. 21(1),11-14.
5. Benjamin, M. M. (2010). Outline of Veterinary Clinical Pathology. Edn, 3rd., Kalyani Publishers.
6. Blagoje, D., Slavoljub, J., Dusica, O. A., Mila, S., Zolt, B., Vesna, D. and Mirjana, J. T. (2016). Infection with strongyloides papillosus in sheep: effect of parasitic infection and treatment with albendazole on basic haematological parameters. Biotechnology in Animal Husbandry. 32(4), 369-381.
7. Bordoloi, G., JAS, R. and Ghosh, J. D. (2012). Changes in the haemato-biochemical pattern due to experimentally induced haemonchosis in Sahabadi sheep. J Parasit Dis 156 36(1),101–105.
8. Coles, E. H. (1986). Veterinary Clinical Pathology. London, UK. Edn. 4th., WB Saunders Company .46-47.
9. Gordon, H. M. and Whitlock, H. V. (1939). A new technique for counting nematode eggs in sheep faeces. J Counc Sci Ind Res, Australia. 12(1), 50-52.
10. S., Jakhar, K. K., Singh, S., Potliya, S., Kumar, K. and Pal, M. (2015). Clinico- pathological studies of gastrointestinal tract disorders in sheep with parasitic infection. Vet. World. 8(1), 29-32.
11. Nanev, V., Vladov, I., Hrusanov, D. and Gabrashanska, M. (2013). Investigations on some hematological parameters in sheep experimentally infected with Haemonchus contortus. Int. 26(1),44-46.
12. Otesile, E. B., Fagbemi, B. O. and Adeyemo, O. (1991). The effect of Trypanosoma brucei infestation on serum biochemical parameters in boars on different planes of dietary energy. Vet Parasitol. 40(3-4), 207-216.
13. Pandey, V., Neelesh, S., Rajesh, K. and Sukhdeep, V. (2012). Biochemical changes in an outbreak of gastrointestinal parasitic infection in goats. Indian Vet. J., 89 (5),12-14.
14. Qasim, H. M., Muhammad, A., Aneela, Z. D., Muhammad, A. K. and Abid, H. S. (2016). Dynamic Dispersal of Haemonchosis, its Treatment and Effect on Blood Profile of Small Ruminants of Lodhran District, Punjab, Pakistan. Pakistan J. Zool. 48 (3), 175 755-761.
15. Radostits, O. M., Gay, C. C., Hinchkliff, K.W. and Constable, P. D. (2007). Veterinary Medicine. London. 10th ed. Elsevier Science Limited.
16. Sharma, P., Dogra, P. K., Sharma, D., Mandial R. K. and Kumar R. (2014). Haemato- biochemical alterations in parasitized Gaddi goats and its management. Clin. Sci. 180 2(2), 24-27.
17. Siddiqua, A., Mannan, M. A. and Hussian, M. A. (1990). Haematological studies in Black Bengal goats- Naturally infested with intestinal parasite. J. Anim. Health. 183 29(1),77-79.
18. Snedecor, G.W. and Cochran, W.G. (1994). In: Statistical methods, Edn: 8th. Low State University Press. USA, Oxford and IBH Publications, New Delhi. Pp: 591.
19. Soulsby, E. J. L. (1976). Pathophysiology of parasitic infection. New York: Academic Press.
20. Soulsby, E. J. L. (1996). Helminths arthropods and protozoa of domesticated animals. Bailliere, Tindall and classel and London. Edn,8th. ELBS.
21. Tanwar, R. K. and Mishra, S. (2001). Clinico- Haematobiochemical studies on intestinal helminthiasis in poultry. Veterinary Practitioner, 2, 137-140.
22. Tarazona, J. M., Sanz-Pastor, A., Babin-m-del, M., Dominguez, T., Parra, I., pasto-a-sanz. and Del-m-bebin, M. (1982). Caprine Trichostrongyloidis II clinical studies of field infestations. Anales-del-Instituto Nacional-de-Investigaciones Agrarias; Ganadera- 194 Spain. 14, 111-124.
23. Tembely, S., Lahlou-Kassi, A., Rege, J. E. O., Sovani, S., Diedhiou, M. L. and Baker, R. L. (1997). The epidemiology of nematode infections in sheep in a cool tropical environment. Parasitol. 70,129 -141.