Dietary Enhancement of Resistance to 'Trichostrongylus colubriformis' in Merino Weaners

Abstract

This research was conducted to determine whether short and long-term resistance of Merino weaners to infection from 'T. colubriformis' could be manipulated by a brief period of differential feeding. Merino weaners infected with 'T. colubriformis' for 10 weeks were restrictively fed diets to create 2 levels of digestible energy intake and 2 levels of metabolisable protein supply. Live weight reflected energy and protein supply and at the conclusion of the 10 weeks of infection there was a 4.8 kg difference between animals fed greatest and least levels of digestible energy and metabolisable protein supply. Neither digestible energy intake nor metabolisable protein supply affected faecal egg count. Total counts of 'T colubriformis' determined 10 weeks post infection were significantly lower in animals with greater levels of digestible energy intake but were unaffected by metabolisable protein supply. This research has demonstrated a novel finding that increased digestible energy intake enhances resistance to 'T. colubriformis' in young sheep.