The relationship between gastrointestinal parasitism with the age, sex, and pregnancy in sheep

The relation between gastrointestinal parasitism and their effect on the immune status and trace element deficiency in sheep was investigated. This survey was conducted on 300 sheep, with a focus on sex, age, and pregnancy status. The majority of the sheep were females 225 (75%) and males represent 25% (75). A large majority of the sheep were adults (65.3%), while 34.7% were young age. Fecal samples were examined by direct smear, sedimentation, and floatation techniques. Blood samples were examined to provide a summary of the complete blood count parameters. A substantial 74.3% of the sheep were infested with one or more types of parasites, while 25.65% were free from parasitic infestation. The most common types of parasites identified were nematodes and cestodes, with 30% of the sheep were infested with nematodes, and 17.65% with cestodes, and 12.7% had multiple infestation with nematodes and cestodes. Protozoal infections were less common (affecting 14% of the sheep) while trematode was not detected in all examined samples. There is a statistically significant differences in sex distribution among the different parasitic infestations. In particular, the combined infestation (nematodes and cestodes) and protozoa infestations were exclusively affecting female sheep. A conclusion for overall results there is strong relationship between gastrointestinal parasitism and trace element deficiency.