The effect of Jatropha multifida L. as a natural dietary additive on anthelmintic activity and performance in lambs infected by Trichostrongylus spp.

Jatropha multifida leaf powder (JMLP) is rich in phenolic tannins and it has the potential to be a natural dietary additive for ruminants. A 4 x 5 factorial design was used to study the effects of 4 different doses of JMLP treatment (dry matter, DM basis) at 0% (JMLP-0), 0.5% (JMLP-0.5), 0.75% (JMLP-0.75), and 1% (JMLP-1) in the diet of ewe lambs infected by Trichostrongylus spp. at 2332 +/- 248 eggs/g feces on fecal egg counts (FEC, eggs/g feces) of 5 different measurement times (0, 14, 28, 42, and 84 days) using 5 replicates. Average daily gain (ADG, g/head/day) and dry matter intake (DMI, g/head/day) of the lambs were also recorded at 14, 28, 42, and 84 days of the feeding trial. The results showed that JMLP treatments, measurement times, and their interactions had significant effects (P < 0.05) on FEC, ADG, and DMI. Based on the averages of all the measurement times, the lambs fed JMLP-0.5 had the lowest (P < 0.05) FEC and DMI, and the highest (P < 0.05) ADG compared with other JMLP treatments. Based on the averages of all the JMLP treatments, day 42 had the lowest (P < 0.05) FEC and DMI, and the highest (P < 0.05) ADG in comparison with other measurement times. It is suggested that 0.5% of JMLP can be included in the diet of growing lambs as an antiparasitic to improve their performances and its efficacy can be seen optimally after 42 days.