COCCIDIA AND GASTROINTESTINAL NEMATODE INFECTIONS IN SEMI- INTENSIVELY MANAGED JAKHRANA GOATS OF SEMI- ARID REGION OF INDIA

The coccidia and gastrointestinal nematode infections were monitored in 273 Jakhrana goats maintained at the Central Institute for Research on Goats, Makhdoom, Mathura, India to study the prevalence rate and to determine the effects of various environmental factors on intensity of infection. The animals were reared under semi intensive feeding system. The fecal samples were collected and examined for a period of 2 years. The data on faecal egg/oocystes count (FEC/FOC) were analyzed by least-squares analysis after suitable log transformation (Loge FEC/FOC + 100). The prevalence and intensity of infection were determined in animals according to their ages (0-3 month, >3-6 month, >6-12 month and >1 year), sex, year and season of sample collection. The pre-dominant coccidia oocysts were Eimeria ninakohlyakimovae, and the major gastrointestinal nematode species identified as Haemonchus contortus The overall prevalence rates for coccidial and gastrointestinal nematode infections manifested as singles or concurrent states were 42.86 and 39.19%, respectively. The coccidial oocysts was highest (92.31%) in >3-6 month aged kids followed by >6-12 month (75.51%) and >1 year of age (40.86%). Females had higher occurrence (49.86%) than males (45.20%) for coccidial infection. The prevalence rate of oocysts was highest in rainy season (54.55%) followed by summer (46.0%) and winter (37.0%) season. The gastrointestinal nematode prevalence was 33.33, 0.0, 57.14 and 41.00 percent in 0-3 month, >3-6 month, >6-12month and >1 year aged animals, respectively. Seasonal prevalence of gastrointestinal nematode infection was 28.74, 67.27 and 13.98 percent during summer, rainy and winter season, respectively. Concurrent infection with Eimeria and gastrointestinal nematodes were found in 17.22% of animals and restricted to animals of >6-12 month of age and above. The overall least-squares means for GOPG (oocysts/g of faeces) and GFEC (eggs/g of faeces) were 268.71 and 74.16, respectively. The effect of age, year and season of sampling had significant (P