Effect of dietary tannin and protein concentration on nematode infection (Trichostrongylus colubriformis) in lambs

The aim of this study was to determine whether the inclusion of a condensed tannin (quebracho tannin, QT) and/or the elevation of dietary protein could reduce Trichostrongylus colubriformis establishment and existence in the small intestine of lambs. Thirty-six lambs (mean liveweight 32.6 +/- 3.9 kg) were randomly allocated to one of six experimental groups, groups 1-5 were parasitized with a trickle infection of 3000 infective Trichostrongylus colubriformis larvae daily, whilst group 6 remained as uninfected controls. Experimental diets were formulated to contain 222 g CP/kg (high protein) or 97 g CP/kg (low protein) with or without the inclusion of 50 g QT/kg. All six animal groups were fed the low protein diet, group 2 fed low protein diet+QT, for one month prior to infection (groups 1-5). Once nematode eggs were observed in the faeces, diets were abruptly changed in three experimental groups. Group 1 remained on the low protein diet, group 2 remained on the low protein+QT diet, group 3 changed to the high protein diet, group 4 changed to the high protein + QT diet, group 5 changed to the low protein + QT diet and group 6 remained uninfected and fed the low protein diet. Production, haematological and parasitological parameters were monitored at regular intervals. Results show that parasitized animals fed the high protein diet achieved growth rates similar to those of uninfected low protein-fed lambs. Inclusion of dietary QT did not depress liveweight gain. Total daily faecal egg counts declined after feeding the high protein diet. Inclusion of QT into the low protein diet also reduced faecal egg counts to similar levels observed in the high protein-fed lambs. The inclusion of QT into the high protein diet did not further reduce faecal egg counts. No significant differences in the haematological parameters measured were observed between infected animals (groups 1-5), suggesting that the beneficial effect of dietary QT in the low protein diet is unlikely to be mediated through an immune response. These data suggest that the inclusion of QT in low protein diets may be an alternative to feeding high protein diets to reduce nematode burden in lambs.