Evaluating orange oil and lespedeza hay as an alternative anthelmintic for goats

Identifying alternative practices to control gastrointestinal parasites and overcome resistance to chemical anthelmintics is critical to maintain the productive and economic viability of the small ruminant sector. Here, we evaluated in vivo potential effects of orange oil and sericea lespedeza (<i>Lespedeza cuneata</i> [Dumont] G. Don) supplementation on suppressing gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) and improving performance of goats. Twenty-four bucks were used in a randomized complete block design and were assigned to12 pens after deworming. Experimental duration was 6 wk (1 wk adaptation and 5 wk of data collection) and treatments were arranged in a factorial combination of two levels of orange oil, at 0 or 600 mg/kg BW, and lespedeza hay, at 0% or 9% of the diet DM, in three replicates. Response variables included dry matter intake (DMI), growth performance, nutrient digestibility, fecal egg counts (FEC), and blood parameters. The inclusion of orange oil and/or lespedeza decreased DM (-12.6%) and neutral detergent fiber digestibility (-14.3%) but did not decrease DMI (1.06 kg DM/goat/day) or growth performance (78.3 g/animal/day). Orange oil administration decreased 46% of Trichostrongyle FEC, but no effects were observed on strongyloide and coccidia FECs. Orange oil also increased neutrophil concentration, potentially indicating an inflammatory response. Although orange oil showed promise as a natural alternative to synthetic dewormers for controlling GIN in goats, its efficacy is variable and may be influenced by dosage, formulation, and treatment duration. However, lespedeza hay, despite its known antiparasitic effects, was ineffective in reducing FEC when included at levels in this experiment.