Accuracy of the FAMACHA system for on-farm use by sheep and goat producers in the southeastern United States

FAMACHA is a practical on-farm system designed to provide small ruminant producers a tool for improving their management of Haemonchus contortus infections. Although this system has become very popular and widely accepted by small ruminant producers in many regions of the southern United States, there is very limited data reported on the effectiveness of the FAMACHA system when performed by farmers. The objective of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of the FAMACHA system for on-farm use by small ruminant producers during the summer season. Small ruminant producers from Georgia, Louisiana, Florida, and Puerto Rico were trained to use the FAMACHA system by veterinarians and scientists experienced with this method. FAMACHA scores were assigned at least every 2 weeks by producers to weaned and mature sheep (n=552) and goats (n=676) of various breeds and ages between April and September 2004. At intervals that varied among farms from 2 to 8 weeks, researchers determined body condition scores (BCS; 1=thin and 5=fat) and collected blood and feces from a group of animals selected randomly to determine packed cell volume (PCV) and fecal egg counts (FEC). Two separate anemia thresholds were evaluated; these were defined by either FAMACHA score (>or=3 versus >or=4) or PCV (or=3 were considered anemic and PCV cutoff was or=3 were considered anemic and PCV cutoff was 相似文献   

Validation of the FAMACHA eye color chart for detecting clinical anemia in sheep and goats on farms in the southern United States

Recent studies on sheep and goat farms in the southern United States indicate that multiple-anthelmintic resistance in Haemonchus contortus is becoming a severe problem. Though many factors are involved in the evolution of resistance, the proportion of the parasite population under drug selection is believed to be the single most important factor influencing how rapidly resistance develops. Therefore, where prevention of resistance is an important parallel goal of worm control, it is recommended to leave a portion of the animals untreated. Recently, a novel system called FAMACHA was developed in South Africa, which enables clinical identification of anemic sheep and goats. When H. contortus is the primary parasitic pathogen, this system can be applied on the farm level to reduce the number of treatments administered, thereby increasing the proportion of the worm population in refugia. Since most studies validating the FAMACHA method have been performed in South Africa, it is important that the method be tested in other regions before its use is broadly recommended. We performed a validation study of FAMACHA by testing the system in sheep (n = 847) and goats (n = 537) of various breeds and ages from 39 farms located in Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Florida, and the US Virgin Islands. The color of the ocular conjunctiva of all animals were scored on a 1-5 scale using the FAMACHA card, and blood samples were collected from each animal for determination of packed cell volume (PCV). Fecal samples were also collected from a majority of the animals tested for performance of fecal egg counts (FEC). Correlations between PCV and eye scores, PCV and FEC, and FEC and eye scores were all highly significant for both sheep and goats (P < 0.001). Data for both FAMACHA scores and PCV were evaluated using two separate criteria for anemia: eye score values of 3, 4 and 5 or 4 and 5, and PCV values of < or =19 or < or =15 were considered anemic. Specificity was maximized when eye score values of 4 and 5 were considered anemic and PCV cut off for anemia was < or =19, but sensitivity was low. In contrast, sensitivity was 100% for both sheep and goats when eye score values of 3, 4 and 5 were considered anemic and PCV cut off was < or =15, but specificity was low. In both sheep and goats, predictive value of a negative was greater than 92% for all anemia and eye score categories, and was greater than 99% for both eye score categories when an anemia cutoff of < or =15 was used. Predictive value of a positive test was low under all criteria indicating that many non-anemic animals would be treated using this system. However, compared to conventional dosing practices where all animals are treated, a large proportion of animals would still be left untreated. These data indicate that the FAMACHA method is an extremely useful tool for identifying anemic sheep and goats in the southern US and US Virgin Islands. However, further studies are required to determine optimal strategies for incorporating FAMACHA-based selective treatment protocols into integrated nematode control programs.     

Comparative pharmacokinetics of diminazene in lactating goats and sheep

The pharmacokinetic aspects of diminazene aceturate were studied in lactating goats and sheep after single intravenous and intramuscular administrations of 3.5 mg/kg b.wt. Plasma and milk concentrations were determined by use of reversed phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) after ion-pair extraction. Following intravenous injection, the disposition of diminazene in goats and sheep conformed to a two-compartment model with rapid distribution and slower elimination phases. Values of (t1/2 beta) were obtained indicating a slower final disappearance of the drug from plasma of sheep (21.17 h) than in goats (16.39 h). Diminazene concentrations were maintained for more than 4 days in the plasma of goats and sheep. In both species of animals, diminazene was rapidly absorbed following intramuscular administration of 3.5 mg/kg b.wt. The peak plasma concentrations (Cmax) were 7.00 and 8.11 micrograms/ml and were attained at (Tmax) 0.92 and 1.12 hours in goats and sheep, respectively. The elimination half-life (t1/2el) of diminazene after intramuscular administration was shorter in goats (16.54 h) than in sheep (18.80 h). Systemic bioavailabilities (F%) of diminazene after intramuscular administration were 94.94% and 82.64% in goats and sheep, respectively. Diminazene could be detected in milk of goats and sheep within 10 min post-injection. Milk concentrations of the drug were lower in goats than in sheep and were detected for 5 and 6 days following both routes of administration, respectively.     

Fluorescence spectra and measurement of phylloerythrin (phytoporphyrin) in plasma from clinically healthy sheep,goats, cattle and horses

AIM: To measure the background concentration of phylloerythrin in plasma from clinically healthy sheep, goats, cattle and horses on pasture.

METHODS: Blood samples were taken from 34 sheep of the Dala breed, 20 female Norwegian dairy goats, 35 Norwegian Red cows and 34 horses of different breeds. All animals were grazing green pasture when blood samples were taken. Blood samples were collected from each of four clinically healthy newborn lambs, goats, calves and foals, and pooled into one sample per species. Plasma samples were analysed for phylloerythrin by fluorescence spectroscopy, using a Perkin-Elmer LS-50B luminescence spectrometer equipped with a red-sensitive photo- multiplier. The fluorescence spectra of phylloerythrin in plasma from the adult ruminants were compared with those in plasma from the neonatal ruminants, to which a known concentration of phylloerythrin had been added.

RESULTS: Plasma obtained from the adult ruminants had spectral characteristics similar to those of phylloerythrin, namely weak emission peaks at 650 and 711 nm, when excited at 425 nm. Emission spectra obtained from plasma from the neonatal ruminants showed no fluorescence at these wavelengths. On average, 0.012 (SD 0.004), 0.06 (SD 0.04), and 0.05 (SD 0.03) μmol/l phylloerythrin were present in plasma samples from the sheep, goats, and cattle, respectively. The fluorescence spectra of plasma from the newborn foals were similar to spectra of plasma from adult horses, with weak emission at 669 nm.

CONCLUSION: Small concentrations of phylloerythrin were detected in plasma from clinically healthy sheep, goats and cattle, but none could be detected in plasma from clinically healthy horses.     

Pharmacokinetics and urinary excretion of sulphadimidine in sheep and goats

Pharmacokinetics and urinary excretion of sulphadimidine were determined in sheep and goats following a single intravenous injection (100 mg/kg). The disposition of the drug was described in terms of exponential expression: C _p= Be ^-βt. Based on total (free and bound) sulphonamide level in plasma, pseudo-distribution equilibrium was rapidly attained and the half-life for elimination was 3.88 ± 0.64 h and 4.00 ± 0.34 h in sheep and goats, respectively. Body clearance, which is the sum of all clearance processes was 88 ± 19 and 55 ± 4 ml/kg/h in sheep and goats. Based on this study a satisfactory intravenous dosage regimen might consist of 100 and 60 mg sulphadimidine/kg body wt for sheep and goats and should be repeated at 12 h intervals. The influence of disease conditions on predicted plasma levels remain to be verified experimentally. Three-quarters of an intravenously injected dose of sulphadimidine was excreted in the urine of sheep and goats within 24 h of administration. The drug was mainly excreted as free amine while acetylated drug constituted 7 and 8% of total drug content in the urine of sheep and goats, respectively.     

An evaluation of the effect of clotting on the recovery of copper from caprine blood

In the goat, diagnosis of copper (Cu) deficiency is often based on measurement of Cu in serum or plasma. Previous research in cattle and sheep has shown that these values are not interchangeable, but data for goats have not been published. Paired serum and heparinised plasma samples taken from 119 goats in eight herds were tested for Cu concentration. Plasma and serum Cu were significantly correlated (r=0.95). On average serum Cu was 3.5 μmol/L lower than plasma Cu, but this difference was related to Cu status (r=0.45). Mean serum Cu concentration was 83% of plasma Cu, with the 95% limits of agreement ranging from 66% to 100%. Similar to cattle and sheep, individual variability in Cu loss during clotting is too great for serum Cu to be used as a measure of Cu status in goats.     

Pharmacokinetics of antipyrine and sulphadimidine (sulfamethazine) in camels, sheep and goats

The pharmacokinetics of antipyrine and sulphadimidine were studied in male camels, sheep and goats. The two drugs were administered concomitantly. Following intravenous injection of antipyrine (25 mg/kg) and sulphadimidine (sulfamethazine) (100 mg/kg), the pharmacokinetics of the two drugs were adequately described by a one-compartment model. Antipyrine half-life in goats (2.58 h) was shorter than that in sheep (4.04 h) and camels (18.78 h). The plasma clearance was greatest in goats then sheep and then camels. For sulphadimidine, a significantly greater volume of distribution was observed in camels and the greatest plasma clearance and shortest half-life were reported in goats. Sulphadimidine half-life was 2.77 h in goats, 4.72 h in sheep and 7.36 h in camels. The present results suggest that goats have the fastest elimination of these drugs from the circulation, followed by sheep and then camels.     

Fluorescence spectra and measurement of phylloerythrin (phytoporphyrin) in plasma from clinically healthy sheep, goats, cattle and horses

AIM: To measure the background concentration of phylloerythrin in plasma from clinically healthy sheep, goats, cattle and horses on pasture. METHODS: Blood samples were taken from 34 sheep of the Dala breed, 20 female Norwegian dairy goats, 35 Norwegian Red cows and 34 horses of different breeds. All animals were grazing green pasture when blood samples were taken. Blood samples were collected from each of four clinically healthy newborn lambs, goats, calves and foals, and pooled into one sample per species. Plasma samples were analysed for phylloerythrin by fluorescence spectroscopy, using a Perkin-Elmer LS-50B luminescence spectrometer equipped with a red-sensitive photomultiplier. The fluorescence spectra of phylloerythrin in plasma from the adult ruminants were compared with those in plasma from the neonatal ruminants, to which a known concentration of phylloerythrin had been added. RESULTS: Plasma obtained from the adult ruminants had spectral characteristics similar to those of phylloerythrin, namely weak emission peaks at 650 and 711 nm, when excited at 425 nm. Emission spectra obtained from plasma from the neonatal ruminants showed no fluorescence at these wavelengths. On average, 0.012 (SD 0.004), 0.06 (SD 0.04), and 0.05 (SD 0.03) micromol/l phylloerythrin were present in plasma samples from the sheep, goats, and cattle, respectively. The fluorescence spectra of plasma from the newborn foals were similar to spectra of plasma from adult horses, with weak emission at 669 nm. CONCLUSION: Small concentrations of phylloerythrin were detected in plasma from clinically healthy sheep, goats and cattle, but none could be detected in plasma from clinically healthy horses.     

Clorsulon pharmacokinetics in sheep and goats following oral and intravenous administration

Clorsulon was measured in plasma and urine of sheep and goats after administration of a single intravenous (i.v.) and after a single oral dose of 7 mg/kg. A three-compartment model with elimination occurring from the central compartment was determined to best describe the i.v. data, whereas a one-compartment model with a single exponential absorption phase best described the oral plasma data. The bioavailability of orally administered clorsulon was approximately 55% in goats and 60% in sheep. Peak plasma concentrations occurred at 14 h and 15 h after oral administration in goats and sheep, respectively. Absorption from the gastro-intestinal tract effectively prolonged the elimination of clorsulon by increasing the elimination half-life from 17 to 28 h in sheep and from 12 to 23 h in goats for the i.v. and oral routes, respectively. In both goats and sheep, approximately 50% of the i.v. dose was recovered in urine as parent drug at 48 h after administration, whereas 41% and 30% of the dose was recovered after oral administration for goats and sheep, respectively. The elimination rate constant (kel) in goats was nearly twice as large as the value determined in sheep, and the urea under the i.v. plasma curve in goats was only 63% of the value in sheep indicating that goats are more effective in their capacity to eliminate clorsulon than are sheep. These differences in drug disposition between sheep and goats may account for the reduced efficacy of clorsulon reported in goats.     

Seroprevalence of, and risk factors for, peste des petits ruminants in sheep and goats in Northern Jordan

Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is an economically important disease that affect sheep and goat industry in Asia and Africa. In this study, we investigated the seroprevalence, and risk factors, of PPR in sheep and goat flocks from five different governorates (Irbid, Jarash, Ajloun, Mafraq and Zarka) located in Northern Jordan. Serum samples from 929 and 400 sheep and goats, respectively, corresponding to 122 sheep flock and 60 goats flock were collected. Seroprevalence was determined using PPR competitive ELISA. Health status and management information were collected using a semi-structured pre-tested questionnaire. The individual true prevalence of PPR in sheep and goats was 29 and 49%, respectively. The flock level true prevalence of PPR was 60 and 74% in sheep and goats, respectively. In both sheep and goat flocks, large flock size, visiting live animals market and inadequate veterinary services were identified as risk factors for PPR seropositivity. Mixed (sheep and goats) raising was identified as a risk factor for PPR seropositivity in sheep flocks only.     

Diagnosis of Clostridium perfringens intestinal infections in sheep and goats.

Clostridium perfringens produces enteric diseases, generically called enterotoxemias, in sheep, goats, and other animals. This microorganism can be a normal inhabitant of the intestine of most animal species, including humans, but when the intestinal environment is altered by sudden changes in diet or other factors, C. perfringens proliferates and produces potent toxins that act locally or are absorbed into the general circulation with usually devastating effects on the host. History, clinical signs, and gross postmortem findings are useful tools for establishing a presumptive diagnosis of clostridial enterotoxemia in sheep and goats. Definitive diagnosis requires laboratory confirmation. Isolation of some types of C. perfringens (e.g., B and C) can be of diagnostic value, but other types (e.g., A) are so commonly found in the intestine of normal animals that isolation is meaningless from a diagnostic point of view. The most accepted criterion in establishing a definitive diagnosis of enterotoxemia is detection of C. perfringens toxins in intestinal contents. Also, histopathological examination of brain is very useful for diagnosis of type D disease, as lesions produced by epsilon toxin in the brains of sheep and goats are pathognomonic for type D enterotoxemia. Ancillary tests, such as measuring urine glucose or observing Gram-stained smears of intestinal mucosa, can be used. However, although such tests have a presumptive diagnostic value when positive, they cannot be used to rule out a diagnosis of enterotoxemia when negative.     

Disposition kinetics of enrofloxacin (Baytril 5%) in sheep and goats following intravenous and intramuscular injection using a microbiological assay

The pharmacokinetics of enrofloxacin were determined in Desert sheep and Nubian goats after intravenous and intramuscular administration of Baytril at the dose of 5mgkg(-1) bodyweight. A two compartment open model best represented the intravenous plasma concentration versus time data in both species. Comparisons between the means of the pharmacokinetic parameters obtained after intravenous administration of enrofloxacin (Baytril) revealed a significantly smaller distribution rate constant (lambda(1)) and consequently a shorter half-life time of distribution in sheep (P<0.05). A larger volume of the central compartment (Vc) was observed in goats (P<0.05). Similar values were obtained for sheep and goats for the remaining parameters.Plasma concentrations versus time data of enrofloxacin after 5mgkg(-1) intramuscular administration of Baytril in sheep and goats were adequately described by one-compartment open model with first order absorption and elimination. There were no significant differences between sheep and goats in any of the estimated pharmacokinetic parameters.The results indicate that the pharmacokinetics of enrofloxacin did not differ significantly between sheep and goats; similar intravenous and intramuscular dose rates of enrofloxacin should therefore be applicable to both species. Owing to the high variations in MIC (minimal inhibitory concentration) of sensitive veterinary pathogens, it is recommended that enrofloxacin dosage regimens be calculated according to the sensitivity of the individual pathogen, site of infection and clinical response, than by following a preset dosage regimen.     

Some physiological changes in pregnant sheep and goats before, during and after surgical insertion of uterine catheters.

Corticosteroid concentrations in maternal plasma from pregnant sheep and goats increased during the preoperative starvation period, anaesthesia and surgery, and reached maximum values when the animals regained consciousness. During the operation the vaginal temperature fell 2-3 degrees C. Postoperatively, corticosteroid levels took two to four days, while glucose concentrations took five to seven days in sheep and 10-12 days in goats to return to prestarvation levels. Feed intakes returned to prestarvation levles three to four days after operation in sheep and five to seven days after operation in goats.     

Diversity and seasonal occurrence of Eimeria species in a mixed flock of communally reared sheep and goats in Mafikeng in the North West Province, South Africa

Diversity and seasonal occurrence of coccidia in a communally reared mixed flock of sheep and goats at Mafikeng, North West Province, South Africa, was determined between March 2008 and February 2009. Faecal specimens were collected directly from the rectum of the animals and the number of oocysts per gram of faeces (opg) determined. The mean monthly opg for goats was significantly higher than that for sheep. Higher oocyst counts were observed during the hot, rainy season than during the cold, dry season. The highest mean values for both the sheep (862.5 opg) and goats (1200 opg) were recorded during March. Six species (Eimeria crandallis, E. bakuensis, E. weybridgensis, E. ahsata, E. intricata, and E. ovinoidalis) were recovered from sheep, with E. crandallis and E. bakuensis occurring most frequently. The last 2 species, together with E. ahsata, are considered among the most pathogenic species in sheep. In goats, 7 species (E. arloingi, E. jolchijevi, E. caprina, E. alijevi, E. caprovina, E. christenseni and E. hirci) were recovered, with E. arloingi and E. jolchijevi occurring most frequently. Up to 5 Eimeria species were recovered from individual specimens in goats while up to 4 were recovered in sheep. No cross-infections between goats and sheep were recorded and no clinical coccidiosis was noted during the study. It is increasingly becoming evident that the pathogenic E. arloingi is one of the most commonly occurring Eimeria species in goats in South Africa.     

Parasites of domestic and wild animals in South Africa. XLVI. Oestrid fly larvae of sheep, goats, springbok and black wildebeest in the Eastern Cape Province

Merino sheep in Thornveld, Dorper sheep and Angora goats in inland Valley Bushveld, Angora goats and Boer goats in Valley Bushveld on the coastal plateau, and springbok, Antidorcas marsupialis, and black wildebeest, Connochaetes gnou, in Karroid Mountainveld, all in the Eastern Cape Province, were examined for the larvae of nasal bot flies. The sheep and goats were infested with the larvae of Oestrus ovis, and Dorper sheep and Boer goats harboured more larvae than Angora goats on the same farms. Most infestation was present from November to May in Merino sheep in Thornveld, from February to June in Dorper sheep in inland Valley Bushveld, and from May to September in Angora and Boer goats in Valley Bushveld on the coastal plateau. These patterns of seasonality appeared to be regulated by the severity of the summer temperatures at the various localities. The springbok were infested with the larvae of Rhinoestrus antidorcitis, most of which seemed to mature from June to August. All larval sages of Oestrus variolosus and Gedoelstia h?ssleri were present in the black wildebeest, and large numbers of 1st instar larvae of G. h?ssleri appeared to accumulate on the dura of the wildebeest from June to August.     

Haemolytic activity of sheep complement for two assay systems

Sheep complement (C) is haemolytic for sheep erythrocytes sensitized with rabbit antibody (sheep E-rabbit A) provided serum is used as soon as possible after collection. If left at 4 °C to separate from the clot, serum C activity for sheep E-rabbit A is markedly reduced. Heparinized plasma retains its haemolytic titre for at least 24 h at 4 °C. Plasma from Mg²⁺-ethyleneglycoltetraacetic acid (EGTA) blood is non-haemolytic, but addition of Ca²⁺ partially restores the titre. A high concentration of rabbit A is necessary to sensitize sheep E.Sheep C is haemolytic for human erythrocytes sensitized with sheep antibody (human E-sheep A) in the presence of Mg²⁺-EGTA. This C activity is stable at 4 °C for 24 h in serum, Mg²⁺-EGTA plasma and heparinized plasma. Haemolytic activity of serum heated at 50 °C for 30 min was restored by a factor B containing CM-cellulose fraction of foetal lamb serum in the presence of Mg²⁺-EGTA for human E-sheep A but not sheep E-rabbit A.These findings show that sheep C haemolysis of sheep E-rabbit A requires a Ca²⁺-Mg²⁺-dependent pathway that is labile in vitro for 24 h at 4 °C.     

Comparative study of milk compositions of cattle,sheep and goats in Nigeria

Variations in the milk composition of Nigerian cattle, sheep and goats (Bunaji, Yankasa and Red Sokoto breeds, respectively), as well as residual phenotypic correlations between the milk constituents, were investigated. Results indicated that sheep and goats differed significantly (P < 0.05) from cattle in all constituents except protein percentage, which averaged 5.43%, 5.43% and 5.49%, respectively. Caprine milk contained the highest percentages of fat (5.80%), total solids (15.37%) and ash (0.77%), and bovine milk contained the least percentages of fat (0.68%) and lactose (1.84%). Overall, the milk compositions of sheep and goats were very similar as they were not statistically different from each other (P > 0.05). Residual phenotypic correlations between the milk constituents revealed highly significant (P < 0.01) and positive relationships between total solids and solids‐not‐fat (0.97 and 0.98 in cattle and sheep, respectively). All other correlations were positive in cattle (ranging from 0.12 to 0.77), except between protein and total solids (?0.44) and protein and solids‐not‐fat (?0.64). Multiple linear regression equations were fitted to predict the percentages of protein and fat. It was demonstrated that the protein percentage could be predicted from total solids and solids‐not‐fat with the highest accuracy of 94%, 86% and 82% in cattle, sheep and goats, respectively. On the other hand, the accuracy of prediction of fat percentage was very low in all the species (R² = 0.01, 0.3 and 0.37 in cattle, sheep and goats, respectively).     

Antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of respiratory tract pathogens from sheep and goats

OBJECTIVE: To determine the antimicrobial susceptibility of common respiratory tract pathogens from sheep and goats. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SAMPLE POPULATION: 41 respiratory tract isolates from sheep and 36 isolates from goats. PROCEDURES: Disk diffusion assay was used to determine antimicrobial susceptibility of isolates to amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, ceftiofur, ciprofloxacin, florfenicol, and tetracycline. Minimum inhibitory concentrations of florfenicol for these isolates were determined by use of the microbroth dilution technique. RESULTS: The most common isolates were Pasteurella multocida (n = 28) and Mannheimia haemolytica (39). All isolates were susceptible to amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, ceftiofur, ciprofloxacin, and florfenicol. Five percent (4/77) of isolates were resistant to tetracycline. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Susceptibility of respiratory tract pathogens isolated from sheep and goats to commonly used antimicrobial drugs in this study was high. Treatment of these species for bacterial respiratory tract disease is likely not complicated by antimicrobial resistance.     

Prevalence and seasonal changes in the population of gastrointestinal nematodes of small ruminants in the semi-arid zone of north-eastern Nigeria

A survey was carried out to determine the prevalence and seasonal abundance of the egg and adult stages of nematode parasites of sheep and goats in the semi-arid zone of north-eastern Nigeria between January and December 2002. Faecal samples collected from 102 sheep and 147 goats and examined by the modified McMaster technique using saturated solution of sodium chloride as the floating medium revealed that 44 (43.1%) and 82 (55.8%) of the samples, respectively, contained at least one nematode egg type. Three nematode egg types were recovered with strongyle egg type (22.5% in sheep and 35.4% in goats) being the most prevalent followed, respectively, by Trichuris (5.9% in sheep and 4.1% in goats) and Strongyloides (4.9% in sheep and 4.1% in goats) egg types. Mean faecal egg counts were generally moderate in both sheep (1052+/-922 strongyle, 1000+/-590 Strongyloides and 380+/-110 Trichuris eggs, respectively, per g of faeces) and goats (2092+/-3475 strongyle, 958+/-854 Strongyloides and 683+/-512 Trichuris eggs, respectively, per g of faeces) and showed the same trend irrespective of the age or sex of the animals. The prevalence and counts of strongyle nematode eggs showed a definite seasonal sequence that corresponded with the rainfall pattern in the study area during the period. In both sheep and goats, counts of strongyle egg type increased with the rains and reached peak levels at about the peak of the rainy season in September. The other egg types encountered during the study did not show much variation with the season of the year. Out of the 45 sheep and 75 goats examined at necropsy, 27 (60%) and 39 (52%), respectively, contained adult nematode species. Seven genera of adult nematodes including Strongyloides, Trichostrongylus, Haemonchus, Trichuris, Cooperia, Oesophagostomum and Bunostomum species were encountered during the study. Bunostomum species were recorded only in sheep. Adult worm burdens were generally low and showed seasonal variation that corresponded with the rainfall pattern in the study area during the period. Haemonchus and Trichostrongylus species attained peak counts together in both goats (June) and sheep (August). Strongyloides species were encountered throughout the year in both sheep and goats irrespective of the season. Other genera of nematodes encountered occurred in very low numbers and did not allow any meaningful comparison of seasonal sequence. The results suggest that Haemonchus, Trichostrongylus and Strongyloides species may be the major contributors to small ruminant helminthiasis in the study area.     

甘肃省8个地区牛羊被毛的主要矿物质元素含量

以ＩＣＰ－ＡＥＳ法和荧光分光光度法,测定了采自甘肃省８个地区的１４３个牛、羊等动物被毛样听矿物元素（钙、磷、铜、钠、锌、锰、钴、钼、硒）含量。结果表明,甘肃省牛、羊普遍缺磷、钠、铜;部分地区牛和全部采样地区的绵、山同羊表现锰营养不足;庆阳地区的牛严重缺硒;武威地区的牛和酒泉地区的绵、山羊硒营养正常;其他地区在正常值下限的上下波动。