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Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the responses of Yankasa lambs to Ascaris suum infection. Twenty-four (24) male Yankasa lambs aged 6-8 months were purchased and randomly divided into two groups (1 and 2). The lambs in group 1 consisted of 16 animals, and they were orally infected with 1500 infective A. suum eggs daily for seven consecutive days. In group 2, 8 animals were maintained as non-infected/control group. All experimental animals were closely monitored for 10 weeks. PCV, WBC, differential leucocytes count and other haematological parameters were evaluated. Student’s t- test was used to test for differences between groups. Clinical signs observed in the infected animals were cough and dyspnoea. Significant differences (P<0.05) between the mean respiratory and pulse rates of the infected animals (28.03 and 83.78 beats/min) and those of the control animals (23.84 and 81.08 beats/min) were observed on day 14 post- infection. Non- significant (P>0.05) higher eosinophil counts were observed in animals from infected group than in animals from control group on days 7, 28 and 35 post- infection. There were significant differences in the counts of white blood cells, neutrophils, lymphocytes and monocytes at various weeks of the experiment between the animals from the infected group and those from the control group. However, the infection did not have any influence on body weight changes, Packed Cell Volume (PCV), serum total proteins, albumins, globulins and haemoglobin concentration. It is concluded that based on the findings of this study, Ascaris suum, although a common roundworm of pigs, is also found to cause clinical symptoms in Yankasa lambs but is only slightly pathogenic to the lambs. Therefore, an improved management system that will curb the infection in pigs so as to avoid accidental infection of sheep and other unusual hosts is recommended.