DIVERSITY AND BURDEN OF GASTROINTESTINAL NEMATODES IN GOAT PRODUCTION SYSTEMS IN THE CENTRAL REGION OF VERACRUZ, MEXICO

Goat herds (Capra aegagrus hircus L.) are susceptible to various diseases. One of the most economically damaging in production systems is caused by gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs), which can alter the health, production, and welfare of the animals. The objective of this study was to determine the diversity and burden of gastrointestinal parasites in goat production systems in the central region of Veracruz, Mexico. The municipalities included in the study are located in the mountainous zone (Coatepec and Jalacingo), the highlands (Perote), and the coastal plain (Medellín). A cross-sectional study was conducted, and sampling was carried out during the period from November 2021 to May 2022. Two surveys were applied to farmers. A descriptive analysis was carried out on the characteristics of the production units (PUs). The McMaster technique was used to determine the presence of eggs, and the coproculture, Baermann, and larval identification techniques were used to determine the diversity of GINs. The analysis of the data obtained in the laboratory and the individual survey was carried out with a fixed effects model to analyze the parasite load. The independent variables were the PU, breed, physiological state, and body condition, and the dependent variables were eggs per gram of feces (Epgf) and its natural logarithm (ln (Epgf+1)). Three types of production systems were found: housed, semi-stabled, and grazing. The genera and species identified were Haemochus contortus, Teladorsagia spp., Trichostrongylus spp., Chabertia ovina, Cooperia spp., Oesophagostomum spp., Trichuris ovis, and Strongyloides papillosus. The Toggenburg breed had the highest nematode load, and all PUs had high parasite loads with counts greater than 700 Epgf. A great diversity and high loads of GINs were found in the goat PUs of the central zone of Veracruz.