Resumen:
The study aimed to test the potential anthelmintic activity of Salix babylonica (SB) extract for the control of gastrointestinal and pulmonary parasites in sheep and goats under field conditions. A representative sample of 20 % of all animals reared in 8 sheep and 7 goat farms was used in the study. Animals from each farm were randomly selected for a total number of 93 sheep and 75 goats. Animals suffered a natural gastrointestinal nematode infection and had never been treated with chemical anthelmintic drugs
Descripción:
Introduction In Mexico, sheep and goats are important resources of cash income, savings, food (meat and milk), wool, fertilizer, and employment of family members, particularly in populations with a low income and where poverty prevails. However, parasitic diseases caused by gastrointestinal nematodes remains as one of the major constraints in sheep and goat production systems in Mexico and in most developing countries (Mejı´a-Herna´ndez et al. 2014; Cedillo et al. 2015). Nematodes in such humid and sub-humid tropical areas can cause poor growth, production losses, and even mortality in young animals (Ancheta et al. 2004). Globally, small ruminant producers depend on synthetic anthelmintics to achieve control of gastrointestinal nematodes and parasites. However, administration of chemical anthelmintic drugs has been proved to increase the development of parasite resistance towards these treatments (Jabbar et al. 2006; Shaik et al. 2006), and to raise concerns regarding the presence of pharmacological residues in animal products (McKellar 1997). Moreover, chemical treatments are costly when used regularly to prevent helminth parasites in livestock (Jabbar et al. 2006). Consequently, there is an increasing interest in screening phytogenic extracts and medicinal plants as alternatives to the expensive traditional drugs (Olmedo- Jua´rez