Exposure of Melia azedarach fruits to Eimeria lowers oocyst output in yearling Tswana goats

Abstract

This study assessed the effects of Melia azedarach fruits on oocyst output of goats naturally infected with Eimeria species. The nineteen 12-month-old male Tswana goats weighing 21.5 kg were allocated to either a grass hay basal diets (control = 10) or to grass hay basal diet + M. azedarach fruits (treatment = 9). The animals were individually penned, given feed and clean water for 21 days. There was a significant (P < 0.001) difference in oocyst per gram (OPG) between the two groups in weeks 2 and 3. M. azedarach maintained an oocyst count of 6400 OPG throughout the study. In contrast, OPG of the control animals increased in the second week, reaching a peak of 33,000 OPG by week 3. There was no difference (P > 0.05) in body weight between the groups by week 2. The use of novel plants to control parasites in livestock opens opportunities for sustainable and less frequent use of anthelmintics.