The effect of experimental Ostertagia ostertagi infections in stabled milking cows on egg output, serum pepsinogen levels, antibody titres and milk production

Two trials with stabled milking cows were carried out. In the first trial, cows were either experimentally infected with Ostertagia ostertagi larvae or served as naturally-infected controls. In the second trial, cows were treated the same as in the first trial, but in addition half of the number of cows of each group were treated with oxfendazole before the trial started. The results showed that experimental infection influenced Ostertagia egg output, host serum pepsinogen levels and anti-Ostertagia antibody titres. The influence on egg output consisted of an initial decrease 1 week after infection, followed by an increase 3-7 weeks after infection. The pepsinogen level was significantly elevated after one week. The antibody titres increased from 3 weeks p.i. onwards. No influence on the milk production could be demonstrated. Naturally-infected controls also showed a rise in pepsinogen level and antibody titres, probably due to the existing worm burden. The egg output appeared to be influenced by the partus. Naturally-infected cows, treated with oxfendazole, showed no changes in any of the parameters during the trial.