Phenotypical categorization of indigenous ewes as resistant, resilient or susceptible to Haemonchus contortus.

The economic losses caused by parasite infections, aggravated by resistance to anthelmintics, have generated demand for alternatives involving non-chemical control, such as the selection of resistant animals. The objective of this study was to identify which characteristics best describe animals that are resistant, resilient or susceptible to Haemonchus contortus and estimate the percent number in each category. Sixty-one Morada Nova ewes were evaluated in an extensive system.

Diversity of indigenous sheep of an isolated population.

Background: Because of the influence of genetics on animal production and the risk of losing genetic diversity of naturally adapted breeds, this study evaluated the genetic diversity of sheep of the Morada Nova breed belonging to an animal science institute in Brazil. The herd in question is one of the country's most representative of the breed. Samples of DNA extracted from the plasma of 61 animals were used for later analysis of the genotypes using microsatellite molecular markers.

Sugarcane and mulberry silage supplementation of sheep during the peripartum period.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of supplementation with silage made from sugarcane alone or mulberry and sugarcane on the gastrointestinal nematodes and hematological parameters in peripartum Santa Inês ewes. Three groups, each of 15 ewes, were supplemented with either 100 % sugarcane silage or sugarcane silage and mulberry at ratios of either 75:25 or 50:50. The variables analyzed were weight, body condition, packed cell volume, total plasma protein, hemoglobin, total leukocytes, eosinophils, and number of parasite eggs per gram of feces.