Dynamic of “Eimeria” oocyst excretion during pregnancy and early lactation in native goats raised extensively in semiarid region

Abstract

The study aimed to characterize the excretion dynamic of Eimeria oocyst during pregnancy and early lactation in native goats raised extensively in semiarid region. Twenty pregnancy does were selected and monitored during eight months. The count of oocyst per gram of feces (Oopg) was determined fortnightly from first month of pregnancy until 90o day postpartum. The Oopg varied during pregnancy and the high stand lowest values were 3,300±709 and 1,726±215 respectively. After rise in the first fortnight, the Oopg gradually decreased until the 105th day and increased again until the end of pregnancy. In the post partum period, following the trend of late pregnancy, there was a progressive increase in oocysts excretion until 90th day of lactation. The average number of oocysts excreted during early lactation was greater than during pregnancy, whose values were 3,006±102.3 vs 2,312±98.03 Oopg, respectively (P<0.05). The excretion dynamics of oocysts of Eimeria sp. during pregnancy and early lactation in native goats raised extensively in semiarid region is characterized as a sharp rise in the first fortnight, followed by gradual reduction until intermediate phase and a continuous rise in the last third of gestation and early lactation.