犬卵母细胞体外成熟的影响因素

采集发情期和间情期犬卵巢,回收大腔（直径大于１ｍｍ）卵泡和不可见卵泡的卵母细胞,在４种成熟液（ＴＣＭ１９９＋２０％ＦＣＳ,ＴＣＭ１９９＋２０％ＦＣＳ＋１０ＩＵ／ｍＬＦＳＨ,ＴＣＭ１９９＋２０％ＥＤＳ和ＴＣＭ１９９＋２０％ＥＤＳ＋１０ＩＵ／ｍＬＦＳＨ）中成熟后进行了受精试验。结果：（１）发情期大于２ｍｍ和１～２ｍｍ的大腔卵泡卵母细胞的体外成熟率（４２．５％,３２．５％）显著高于间情期卵母细胞（２０．４％）,但发情犬不可见卵泡卵母细胞的体外成熟率（２８．９％）与间情期卵母细胞差异不显著;（２）在成熟液中添加促性腺激素,能有效地提高卵母细胞成熟率,不可见卵泡的卵母细胞对促性腺激素的依赖性（３０．０％比７．８％）大于大腔卵泡的卵母细胞（４２．５％比２９．０％）;（３）卵丘扩散与卵母细胞成熟存在相关性;（４）ＥＤＳ可诱导卵丘扩散,但不能有效提高卵母细胞的成熟率;（５）发情期卵巢上的大腔卵泡和不可见卵泡的卵母细胞以及间情期卵巢不可见卵泡的卵母细胞体外培养后,与体外获能的精子进行体外受精,其卵裂率分别为１６．０％（４／２５）,０％（０／４０）和２．５％（１／４０）。     

猪不同直径卵泡中卵母细胞体外培养的成熟潜力

比较研究了猪卵巢表面直径０．５～１ｍｍ、１～２ｍｍ、２～６ｍｍ、〉６ｍｍ卵泡中卵母细胞所处的发生泡阶段。结果表明,０．５～１ｍｍ卵泡中卵母细胞主要处于ＧＶ－Ｉ用ＧＶ－Ⅱ期２个阶段,比例分别为６７．２％和２０．６％;而１～２ｍｍ和２～６ｍｍ直径卵泡中,卵母细胞大部分则处于ＧＶ－Ⅱ期,比例分别为９１．９％和８９．６％;〉６ｍｍ直径卵泡中,卵母细胞逐渐发生老化,ＧＶ－Ⅱ期比例仅为５３．２％,一部分处于Ｖ     

山羊卵母细胞的体外成熟和受精

在有颗粒细胞，促卵泡素，促黄体素及１７β雌二醇存在的情况下，裹着卵泡卵丘细胞的山羊卵母细胞的体外成熟。从直径２－６ｍｍ的卵泡中获得的卵母细胞，有８６％成熟分裂；而直径为１－２ｍｍ的留言簿包，只有２４％的卵母细胞达到中期Ⅱ。卵泡卵丘母细胞复合体，培养前在２０℃下处理，结果有１１．５％的卵母细胞出现不正常的减数分裂的纺缍体。     

超排山羊卵巢卵母细胞体外成熟和体外受精的研究

以ＴＣＭ１９９＋１０ｍｍｏｌ／ＬＨＥＰＥＳ＋青霉素（６ｍｇ／Ｌ）＋链霉素（５ｍｇ／Ｌ）为基础培养液（ＢＭ），再分别加入不同成分，配成５种卵母细胞成熟液：（Ａ）ＢＭ＋１０％ＥＧＳ；（Ｂ）ＢＭ＋１０％ＥＧＳ＋ＨＣＧ（２．５ｍｇ／Ｌ）；（Ｃ）ＢＭ＋１０％ＥＧＳ＋ＨＣＧ＋Ｅ２（１ｍｇ／Ｌ）；（Ｄ）ＢＭ＋１０％ＦＣＳ＋ＨＣＧ＋Ｅ２；（Ｅ）ＢＭ＋１０％ＥＧＳ＋ＨＣＧ＋Ｅ２＋颗粒细胞（１．５×１０６～３．０×１０６个／ｍＬ）。在３８．５℃、５％ＣＯ２下培养２６ｈ，排卵后第１天卵巢卵母细胞体外成熟率分别为６７．６７％（２０／３０），６０．４２％（２９／４８），８３．６７％（４１／４９）和８０．８２％（５９／７３），排卵后第５天卵巢卵母细胞，在培液Ｄ中体外成熟率为７１．４３％（４５／６３）。排卵后第１天的９８枚卵巢卵母细胞，体外成熟体外受精卵裂率为２１．４３％，２１枚２细胞胚移植５头受体获２头羔羊。研究表明，超排山羊卵巢卵母细胞经体外成熟可获得大量廉价的成熟卵母细胞，并可通过体外受精获得试管山羊     

海狸鼠卵母细胞体外成熟培养初探

实验用ＰＭＳＧ或ＰＭＳＧ＋ＨＣＧ处理或未经激素处理的海狸鼠８只，共获卵巢卵母细胞１３８枚。激素处理对获取卵巢卵母细胞的数量没有影响，而对体外成熟发育至卵丘扩展和半成熟阶段有促进作用。三种不同培养液（Ｗｈｉｔｅｎ＋ＦＣＳ；ＴＣＭ１９９＋ＰＭＳＧ＋ＦＣＳ；ＴＣＭ１９９＋ＨＣＧ＋ＦＣＳ）共培养１２５枚卵母细胞，培养后卵丘扩展率及半成熟率分别为５６．５％，４５．７％，４７．６％和２１．７％，１２．３％，９．５％，以Ｗｈｉｔｅｎ液较高（分别为５６．５％和２１．７％），但只有ＴＣＭ１９９＋ＰＭＳＧ＋ＦＣＳ组有２枚卵母细胞出现第一极体。结果表明海狸鼠卵母细胞与其它啮齿动物的卵母细胞一样，能够在体外培养成熟，完成第一次减数分裂，排出第一极体     

BFF,rbGH对牛卵泡卵母细胞体外受精后发育的影响

利用屠宰黄牛卵巢，对２～５ｍｍ卵泡卵母细胞的体外成熟（ＩＶＭ）、体外受精（ＩＶＦ）、受精卵的体外培养（ＩＶＣ）进行了系列研究。结果表明，在成熟培养液中单独添加１０％Ｄ０ＥＣＳ（发情当天牛血清）获得了卵泡卵母细胞受精后较高的卵裂率（６４．７％）、桑椹胚发育率（３９．９％）和囊胚发育率（２４．８％），说明在成熟培养液中单独添加Ｄ０ＥＣＳ是可行的；在含１０％Ｄ０ＥＣＳ的成熟培养液中再添加１０％或２０％ＢＦＦ（牛卵泡液），均能提高受精卵的卵裂率以及桑椹胚和囊胚的发育率，以添加２０％ＢＦＦ效果较好，其囊胚发育率（３５．０％）显著高于对照组（２４．８％，Ｐ＜０．０５）；在卵泡卵母细胞成熟培养系统和受精卵共同培养系统中添加１０μｇ／Ｌ重组牛生长因子（ｒｂＧＨ），虽对体外受精卵的卵裂率无显著影响（Ｐ＞０．０５），但能显著提高卵裂胚的囊胚发育率（Ｐ＜０．０５）     

猪卵巢卵母细胞的体外成熟及体外受精

从屠宰猪的狼巢卵包中抽取卵母细胞，在ＣＯ２培养箱中成功地进行了卵母细胞体对成熟和体外受精试验。在５％ＣＯ２和９５％空气的湿润条件下把带有卵丘细胞２的卵母细胞在ＴＣＭ－１９９＋ＰＭＳＧ＋ｅｓｔ．ｒａｄｉｏｌ－１７．     

牛体外受精胚胎细胞核移植的实验研究

将采自肉联厂屠宰车间的牛卵巢中的卵母细胞置于ＴＣＭ－１９９＋１０％ＥＣＳ（０ｄ）＋ＦＳＨ（１万ＩＵ／Ｌ）＋ＬＨ（５ｍｇ／Ｌ）中培养成熟，用含０．３％透明质酸酶的消化液将卵母细胞周围的卵丘细胞去掉，并以７．５ｍｇ／Ｌ的ＣＢ液处理后，用微吸管吸去透明带内的第一极体及极体下面的部分卵母细胞质，然后将经体外受精并发育至８～１６细胞期胚胎的卵裂球注入去核卵母细胞的卵周隙中，再将移核胚置于电融合槽内进行融合（电场强度为１２００Ｖ／ｃｍ，持续时间为８０μｓ，１次脉冲刺激）。将融合的胚胎移入生长有单层贴壁颗粒细胞的发育培养液（ＴＣＭ－１９９＋１０％牛血清）中培养，观察移核胚的融合率及发育率，部分去核卵母细胞经染色后观察去核率。结果表明：（１）移核胚的融合率为８６．９％（５３／６１）；（２）发育至２～８细胞期的胚胎占培养的移核胚胎总数的２１．３％（１０／４７）；（３）卵母细胞的去核率为６８．２％（４５／６６）。     

牛卵泡卵母细胞冷冻保存后发育潜力的研究

对用３种不同方法（Ａ法：１．０ｍｏｌ／Ｌ甘油平衡，从２０℃开始以１℃／ｍｉｎ的速度降至－℃，植冰，１０ｍｉｎ后以０．３℃／ｍｉｎ降至－３０℃，再以０．１℃／ｍｉｎ降至－３３℃，投入液氮；Ｂ法：１．６ｍｏｌ／Ｌ丙二醇＋０．ｌｍｏ１／Ｌ蔗糖平衡，５℃冰箱中保存１５ｍｉｎ，从Ｏ℃开始按Ａ法中的程序降温；Ｃ法：即玻璃化法）冷冻保存的牛ＧＶ期卵母细胞的发育潜力进行了研究。解冻后，Ｃ组卵母细胞形态正常率显著高于Ａ、Ｂ两组。３种方法冷冻的卵母细胞成熟培养后，平均卵丘扩展率为６０％，其中Ｃ组最高（６９．９％）。卵丘扩展的卵母细胞中，７９．３％发生ＧＶＢＤ，但大多数没有达到ＭＩ期。３组冷冻卵母细胞的体外成熟率、体外受精率分别为１４．２％、８．３％、２０．０％和１０．０％、７．１％、１２．１％，其中Ａ组中有１枚卵裂。     

电激活对完全体外化牛细胞核移植的影响

牛卵母细胞在体外成熟２３～２４ｈ时去核，去核卵用８０Ｖ／ｍｍ４０μｓ两次电脉冲激活（Ⅰ组）或不激活（Ⅱ组），然后将体外受精、发育的８～３２细胞期胚胎的单个卵裂球注入卵周隙，用８０Ｖ／ｍｍ４０μｓ两次电脉冲诱导卵裂球与去核卵母细胞融合。Ⅰ组操作后存活率和融合率（８８．４％和５５．０％）显著低于Ⅱ组（９５．９％和６５．１％，Ｐ＜０．０５）。融合卵体外培养２４ｈ和５～８ｄ后，Ⅰ组核移植胚胎的卵裂率和桑椹／囊胚发育率（６３．０％和１５．２％）与Ⅱ组（５０．５％和７．８％）无显著差异，但Ⅰ组结果均好于Ⅱ组。将来自两组的２５枚桑椹和囊胚移植到１６头同期受体，在已检查过的８头受体中２头受体妊娠，其中１头于妊娠后４个多月流产，１头于妊娠期满后产出一雄性牛犊。研究结果表明：去核卵母细胞的电激活尽管对重组卵的存活与融合不利，但可改善核移植胚的卵裂和发育。本研究在我国首次获得牛细胞核移植的成功，证明用ＩＶＭ卵母细胞和ＩＶＦ胚胎进行完全体外化的牛细胞核移植是可行的。     

白术、微米白术和白术多糖对断奶仔猪生长性能和肠道形态及微生态区系的影响

试验选用96头平均体重14.82 kg左右的杜×长×大断奶仔猪,随机分成4组,每组3栏,每栏8头(公母各半)。对照组饲喂基础日粮,试验1、2、3组分别添加1%80目白术、0.2%白术多糖和1%微米白术。试验期30 d。结果表明:在生长性能方面,与对照组相比,1%微米白术添加组可显著提高日增重(P0.05)、降低饲料增重比和腹泻率,而且效果优于1%80目白术组和0.2%白术多糖组,在肠道形态和肠道微生态区系方面,与对照组相比,日粮添加1%80目白术、0.2%白术多糖、1%微米白术均可不同程度的提高十二指肠和空肠的绒毛高度,加深十二指肠和空肠的隐窝深度,并且增加肠道微生态区系的多样性,其中以1%微米白术添加组的效果最佳。     

Prevalence and seasonal incidence of nematode parasites and fluke infections of sheep and goats in eastern Ethiopia

Sissay, M.M., Uggla, A. and Waller, P.J., XXXX. Prevalence and seasonal incidence of nematode parasites and fluke infections of sheep and goats in eastern Ethiopia. Tropical Animal Health and Production, XXXX. A 2-year abattoir survey was carried out to determine the prevalence, abundance and seasonal incidence of gastro-intestinal (GI) nematodes and trematodes (flukes) of sheep and goats in the semi-arid zone of eastern Ethiopia. During May 2003 to April 2005, viscera including liver, lungs and GI tracts were collected from 655 sheep and 632 goats slaughtered at 4 abattoirs located in the towns of Haramaya, Harar, Dire Dawa and Jijiga in eastern Ethiopia. All animals were raised in the farming areas located within the community boundaries for each town. Collected materials were transported within 24 h to the parasitology laboratory of Haramaya University for immediate processing. Thirteen species belonging to 9 genera of GI nematodes (Haemonchus contortus, Trichostrongylus axei, T. colubriformis, T. vitrinus, Nematodirus filicollis, N. spathiger, Oesophagostomum columbianum, O. venulosum, Strongyloides papillosus, Bunostomum trigonocephalum, Trichuris ovis, Cooperia curticei and Chabertia ovina), and 4 species belonging to 3 genera of trematodes (Fasciola hepatica, F. gigantica, Paramphistomum {Calicohoron} microbothrium and Dicrocoelium dendriticum) were recorded in both sheep and goats. All animals in this investigation were infected with multiple species to varying degrees. The mean burdens of adult nematodes were generally moderate in both sheep and goats and showed patterns of seasonal abundance that corresponded with the bi-modal annual rainfall pattern, with highest burdens around the middle of the rainy season. In both sheep and goats there were significant differences in the mean worm burdens and abundance of the different nematode species between the four geographic locations, with worm burdens in the Haramaya and Harar areas greater than those observed in the Dire Dawa and Jijiga locations. Similar seasonal variations were also observed in the prevalence of flukes. But there were no significant differences in the prevalence of each fluke species between the four locations. Overall, the results showed that Haemonchus, Trichostrongylus, Nematodirus, Oesophagostomum, Fasciola and Paramphistomum species were the most abundant helminth parasites of sheep and goats in eastern Ethiopia.     

Phase I evaluation of CCNU (lomustine) in tumor-bearing cats

1-(2-Chloroethyl)3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosourea (CCNU) is an alkylating agent in the nitrosourea subclass. A prospective evaluation of CCNU was done to determine the maximally tolerated dosage of CCNU in tumor-bearing cats. Response data were obtained when available. Twenty-five cats were treated with CCNU at a dosage of 50-60 mg/m3 body surface area. Complete hematologic data were available for 13 cats. Neutropenia was the acute dose-limiting toxicity. The median neutrophil count at the nadir was 1,000 cells/microL (mean, 2,433 cells/microL; range, 0-9,694 cells/microL). The time of neutrophil nadir was variable, occurring 7-28 days after treatment, and counts sometimes did not return to normal for up to 14 days after the nadir. Based on these findings, a 6-week dosing interval and weekly hematologic monitoring after the 1st treatment with CCNU are recommended. The nadir of the platelet count may occur 14-21 days after treatment. The median platelet count at the nadir was 43,500 cells/microL. No gastrointestinal, renal, or hepatic toxicities were observed after a single CCNU treatment, and additional studies to evaluate the potential for cumulative toxicity should be performed. Five cats with lymphoma and 1 cat with mast cell tumor had measurable responses to CCNU. Phase II studies to evaluate antitumor activity should be completed with a dosing regimen of 50-60 mg/m3 every 6 weeks.     

Prevalence of gastric lesions in racing Alaskan sled dogs

Human and equine athletes are reported to have a high prevalence of gastric disease, and anecdotal evidence suggests a similar phenomenon applies to racing sled dogs. To investigate the prevalence of gastric disease in racing sled dogs, we conducted 2 gastroscopy studies on dogs competing in the annual Iditarod Sled Dog Race. A pilot study of dogs that were either dropped from the 2000 Iditarod Sled Dog Race because of illness or that finished the race indicated that, approximately 5 days after competing, 10 of 28 dogs (35%) had endoscopic evidence of gastric ulceration, erosion, or hemorrhage. The next year, an endoscopic study of 73 dogs participating in the 2001 Iditarod race was performed in order to evaluate a larger population of dogs. Data from 70 of these dogs could be used; 34 (48.5%) had ulceration, erosion, gastric hemorrhage, or some combination of these findings. When this group of 70 dogs was compared retrospectively to a control group of 87 dogs presented to the Texas A&M University (TAMU) Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, the Iditarod sled dogs had a significantly higher prevalence (P = .049) of gastric lesions. These findings suggest that, similar to athletes of other species, elite canine athletes have an increased prevalence of gastric disease compared to the canine population at large.     

Furosemide continuous rate infusion in the horse: evaluation of enhanced efficacy and reduced side effects

Continuous rate infusion (CRI) of furosemide in humans is considered superior to intermittent administration (IA). This study examined whether furosemide CRI, compared with IA, would increase diuretic efficacy with decreased fluid and electrolyte fluctuations and activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) in the horse. Five mares were used in a crossover-design study. During a 24-hour period, each horse received a total of 3 mg/kg furosemide by either CRI (0.12 mg/kg/h preceded by a loading dose of 0.12 mg/kg IV) or IA (1 mg/kg IV q8h). There was not a statistically significant difference in urine volume over 24 hours between methods; however, urine volume was significantly greater after CRI compared with IA during the first 8 hours ([median 25th percentile, 75th percentile]: 9.6 L [8.9, 14.4] for CRI versus 5.9 L [5.3, 6.0] for IA). CRI produced a more uniform urine flow, decreased fluctuations in plasma volume, and suppressed renal concentrating ability throughout the infusion period. Potassium, Ca, and Cl excretion was greater during CRI than IA (1,133 mmol [1.110, 1,229] versus 764 mmol [709, 904], 102.7 mmol [96.0, 117.2] versus 73.3 mmol [65.0, 73.5], and 1,776 mmol [1,657, 2.378] versus 1,596 mmol [1,457, 1,767], respectively). Elimination half-lives of furosemide were 1.35 and 0.47 hours for CRI and IA, respectively. The area under the excretion rate curve was 1,285.7 and 184.2 mL x mg/mL for CRI and IA, respectively. Furosemide CRI (0.12 mg/kg/h) for 8 hours, preceded by a loading dose (0.12 mg/kg), is recommended when profound diuresis is needed acutely in horses.     

Y‐chromosomal variation of local goat breeds of Turkey close to the domestication centre

Genetic variations in chromosome Y are enabling researchers to identify paternal lineages, which are informative for introgressions and migrations. In this study, the male‐specific region markers, sex‐determining region‐Y (SRY), amelogenin (AMELY) and zinc finger (ZFY) were analysed in seven Turkish native goat breeds, Angora, Kilis, Hair, Honaml?, Norduz, Gürcü and Abaza. A SNP in the ZFY gene defined a new haplotype Y2C. All domestic haplogroups originate from Capra aegagrus, while the finding of Y1A, Y1B, Y2A and Y2C in 32, 4, 126 and 2 Turkish domestic goats, respectively, appears to indicate a predomestic origin of the major haplotypes. The occurrence of four haplotypes in the Hair goat and, in contrast, a frequency of 96% of Y1A in the Kilis breed illustrate that Y‐chromosomal variants have a more breed‐dependent distribution than mitochondrial or autosomal DNA. This probably reflects male founder effects, but a role in adaptation cannot be excluded.     

Feline intracranial neoplasia: retrospective review of 160 cases (1985-2001)

The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of different tumor types within a large cohort of cats with intracranial neoplasia and to attempt to correlate signalment, tumor size and location, and survival time for each tumor. Medical records of 160 cats with confirmed intracranial neoplasia evaluated between 1985 and 2001 were reviewed. Parameters evaluated included age, sex, breed, FeLV/FIV status, clinical signs, duration of signs, number of tumors, tumor location(s), imaging results, treatment, survival times, and histopathologic diagnosis. Most of the cats were older (11.3 +/- 3.8 years). Primary tumors accounted for 70.6% of cases. Metastasis and direct extension of secondary tumors accounted for only 5.6 and 3.8% of cases, respectively. Twelve cats (7.5%) had 2 or more discrete tumors of the same type, whereas 16 cats (10.0%) had 2 different types of intracranial tumors. The most common tumor types were meningioma (n = 93, 58.1%), lymphoma (n = 23, 14.4%), pituitary tumors (n = 14, 8.8%), and gliomas (n = 12, 7.5%). The most common neurological signs were altered consciousness (n = 42, 26.2%), circling (n = 36, 22.5%), and seizures (n = 36, 22.5%). Cats without specific neurological signs were common (n = 34, 21.2%). The tumor was considered an incidental finding in 30 (18.8%) cats. In addition to expected relationships (eg, meninges and meningioma, pituitary and pituitary tumors), we found that lesion location was predictive of tumor type with diffuse cerebral or brainstem involvement predictive of lymphoma and third ventricle involvement predictive of meningioma.     

The Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Nematodes of Dairy Cattle in Central Kenya

The epidemiology of H. placei and of other gastrointestinal nematodes in yearling dairy cattle was examined on two farms in Kiambu District, central Kenya during each of 13 one-month periods from April 1993 to April 1994. On each farm, 32 newly weaned dairy calves were given a single dose of albendazole and then placed on experimental pastures. Twelve of the animals were designated for bi-monthly slaughter (n = 2) and analysis of worm population characteristics and 20 were designated for blood and faecal collection and for weighing. Two parasite-free tracer calves were grazed alongside the weaner calves each month throughout the study period and were also slaughtered for analysis of worm populations. Faecal egg counts, haematological and serum pepsinogen determinations, herbage larval counts, and animal live weight changes were recorded monthly. The study revealed that Haemonchus placei, Trichostrongylus axei, Cooperia spp. and Oesophagostomum radiatum were responsible for parasitic gastroenteritis and that H. placei was the predominant nematode present in the young cattle on both farms. Faecal egg counts from resident cattle and necropsy worm counts revealed that pasture larval levels were directly related to the amount of rainfall. The total worm burdens in the animals were highest during the rainy season (March–June and October–December) and lowest during the dry seasons (July–September and January–February). The very low recovery of immature larvae of H. placei from the tracer calves indicated that arrested development is not a feature of the life cycle of this parasite in central Kenya. The maintenance of the parasite population depended on continuous cycling of infection between the host and the pasture. The agroclimatic conditions of the study area were such that, in general, favourable weather conditions for the development and survival of the free-living stages of gastrointestinal nematodes existed all year round.     

Diversity of Ectoparasites in Sheep Flocks in Sa~o Paulo,Brazil

The occurrence of ectoparasites in sheep flocks is frequently reported but seldom quantified. Sheep production used to be a predominantly family activity in the state of Sa~o Paulo (Brazil), but it began to become a commercial activity in the past decade. Thus, information about the ectoparasites existing in sheep flocks has become necessary. The present data were obtained by means of questionnaires sent to all sheep breeders belonging to the `Associaça~o Paulista de Criadores de Ovinos' (ASPACO; Sa~o Paulo State Association of Sheep Breeders). Response reliability was tested by means of random visits paid to 10.6% of the respondents. Most of the properties (89.5%) reported the presence of one or more ectoparasites. Screw-worm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) was the most frequent ectoparasite (72.5%), followed by bot fly larvae (Dermatobia hominis, 45.0%), ticks (Amblyomma cajennense) and Boophilus microplus, 31.3%) and finally lice (Damalinia ovis, 13.8%). Combined infestations also occurred, the most common one being screw-worm with bot fly larvae (36.0%) followed by bot fly larvae with ticks (13.9%), screw-worm with ticks (9.3%), bot fly larvae with lice (6.9%), and ticks with lice (5.0%). The most common triple combination was screw-worm, bot fly larvae and ticks (12.8%). Breeds raised for meat or wool were attacked by bot fly larvae and ticks more often than other breeds. Lice were only absent from animals of indigenous breeds. The relationships among these ectoparasites are discussed in terms of sheep breeds, flock size, seasonality and the ectoparasitic combinations on the host.