Neem (Azadirachta Indica) effect in gastrointestinal nematodes control in supplemented sheep during dry season grazing

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluated the effect of Azadirachta indica (Neem) extracts upon the productive response and control of gastrointestinal nematodes in Santa Inês sheep during the dry season grazing. Twenty four sheep, were divided in three groups according to the following treatments: SP – Control (Animals receiving protein supplement); SP- Oil (Animals receiving protein supplement and Neem oil extract) and SP – Leaf (Animals receiving protein supplement and Neem dry leaves). The animals received daily protein supplement, while the oil and the dry leaves treatments were offered at interval of 15 days, a total of 4 doses ministred. Each day of supply of oil and leaves, feces samples were collected (day 0, 15, 30, 45, 60) for egg count per gram and subsequent larval cultivation for identifying genres. The protein supplement directly influenced the reduction of nematode eggs obtained per gram of feces (FEC) of sheep on quality grazing, consequently bringing benefits for the worms control. A indica present in the oil and leaves did not obtain any statistical difference between the treatments when compared to the animals receiving only protein supplement. The association of Neem derivatives with protein supplement have not been able to increase animal performance even after decreasing the rates of FEC, showing that protein supplement were more able to provide effects on internal parasites control, when compared with to Neem oil or Neem dry leaves treatments.