Effect Of Condensed Tannins On Gastro-Intestinal Parasites, Clinical Chemistry And Immune Response In Naturally Infected Lambs

The effect of inclusion of condensed tannins (CT) was evaluated on gastro-intestinal (GI) parasites, clinical chemistry and immune response in lambs. Eighteen lambs with naturally infected with GI parasites were randomly divided into three groups: CON (Infected-Control), DW (Dewormed) and CT (Condensed-tannins treated) in a CRD for 120 d. In DW group. lambs were treated with Fenbendazole @ 10 mg/kg BW at the onset of experiment. The lambs in CON and DW fed a control total mixed ration (TMR); whereas, in the CT group, the lambs were fed a CT-based TMR having 1.5% CT through Ficus infectoria (Pakar, 140 g/kg TMR) leaves. Feeding of CT based TMR significantly increased the feed intake in lambs than DW and CON. The mean total faecal egg counts (FECs) were significantly lower in CT group followed by DW and CON groups. Hb and PCV were significantly lower in CON group. Eosinophil counts and ESR were higher in CON group. Total protein, albumin and globulin were higher in CT group. Serum urea-N was decreased in CT than DW and CON groups. However, feeding of CT based TMR significantly improved cell mediated and humoral immune responses in lambs. It may be deduced that CT considerably decreased GI parasitic load in lambs and a positive impact was also evident on clinical chemistry and immunity.