Comparative parasitological and haemato-biochemical responses between resistant and susceptible Garole sheep infected with Haemonchus contortus

Parasitological and haemato-biochemical response of experimentalHaemonchus contortus infection was compared between the resistant and susceptible lines of Garole sheep.Nine resistant and susceptible Garole sheep (female sheep of 16 to 18 months old) were selected out of screening of 60 animals on the basis of faecal egg count (FEC).Garole sheep (n=18) were divided into three groups; infected resistant (n=6), infected susceptible (n=6) and uninfected control (n=6).Sheep of infected groups were orally fed with infective larvae (L 3 ) of H. contortus, and FEC was recorded from 18 to 40-day post infection (DPI).Haemato-biochemical and clinical observations were monitored from 0 DPI to 40 DPI at 10 days interval.In resistant sheep FEC was significantly (P <0.01) lower than the susceptible group during the study period with spontaneous elimination of adult worms from 33 to 40 DPI.Haematological values (Hb -11.28 g/dL, PCV -33.28%,TLC -16.25x10 3 /cmm, eosinophils -1350.33/cmm,lymphocytes -8.38x10 3 /cmm and neutrophils -6.28 x10 3 /cmm) was significantly (P<0.05)higher in resistant group than the susceptible group (Hb -9.50 g/dL, PCV -27.25%,TLC -9.22x10 3 /cmm, eosinophils -619.41/cmm,lymphocytes -5.24 x10 3 /cmm and neutrophils -3.07 x10 3 /cmm) on 30 DPI.Significant (P <0.01) decline in total protein and albumin levels was more pronounced in infected susceptible sheep (total protein -4.94 g/dL, albumin -2.55 g/dL) compared to resistant group (total protein -6.36 g/dL, albumin -3.29 g/dL) on 30 and 40 DPI.Anaemia developed in susceptible sheep on 20 DPI to 40 DPI and body condition was deteriorating from healthy condition with the progress of haemonchosis.Resistant sheep was able to withstand the pathogenic effect of H. contortus infection in terms of haemato-biochemical and clinical observations.