Vol. 10, Special Issue 4 (2021)

Author(s):
Pankaj Kumar, Bijayendranath Mohanty, Manaswini Dehuri, Susen Kumar Panda, Prakash Chandra Behera, Akshaya Kumar Kundu and Ananta Hembram

Abstract:
The present study aims to investigate the prevalence of GI nematodes in sheep breeds of Odisha with respect to different risk factors. A total of 701 faecal samples collected from different sheep breeds available in Odisha were examined for a period of one year (January to December, 2019) which revealed overall prevalence of gastrointestinal nematodes was 61.20% of which Strongyles were dominant (72.22%) followed by Strongyloides sp. (34.26%) and Trichuris sp. (16.08%). Prevalence of mixed infection was 22.61%. Coproculture revealed highest percentage of population of Haemonchus contortus larvae, followed by Trichostrongylus spp., Oesophagostomum spp. and Strongyloides spp. Higher prevalence of nematodes were recorded in rainy season followed by summer and least in winter. The variation in prevalence due to season was statistically significant (P<0.01). There was significant difference (P<0.01) among breeds of sheep with regard to frequency of nematode infestation which was highest in non-descript, followed by Balangir, Ganjam and Kendrapada breeds with 39.9%, 20.7%, 20.5% and 18.9%, respectively. Statistically significant (P<0.01) influence of other associated risk factors such as age (highest in 6-12 months and lowest in less than 6 months), sex (more in females) and faecal consistency on rate of prevalence of GI nematodes were recorded.