Neem oil (“Azadirachta indica”) in parasitological, haematological and biochemical parameters of sheep naturally infected by gastrintestinal nematodes

Abstract

The experiment was conducted to evaluate the administration of Neem oil in reducing the values of feccal eggs counts in sheep naturally infected with gastrointestinal nematodes and protozoa, check the population dynamics of endoparasites by coprocultures and to evaluate the hematological and biochemical, weight gain and body condition score in grazing management conditions. Thirty two crossbred Santa Inês sheep were divided into two groups (C - Control and T - treated with Neem oil), according their weight, hematocrit and the number of eggs per gram of feces. The animals received 2.5 ml T kg-1 bodyweight of Neem oil with two oral administrations every 14 days. On the day of application and seven days after treatment were made stool tests. The variables analyzed were weight, body condition, hematological and biochemical tests were performed individually every fourteen days. The use of Neem oil (Azadirachta indica), and the amount administered in this experiment, is not effective in controlling gastrointestinal endoparasites, causes no changes in hematological and biochemical standards and not compromise weight gain and body condition score of sheep.