Postparturient Rise in the Excretion of Eimeria Spp. in Manchega Dairy Sheep

Abstract

The present study was carried out on the occurrence of a postparturient rise of Eimeria spp. in breeding ewes grazing in natural pastures. The research was performed in a dairy flock in the municipality of Sangonera, Murcia (Southeast Spain). A total of 216 faecal samples recovered from 20 ewes and 35 lambs of the Manchega breed were analyzed between December 2014 and March 2015. The analyses to quantify oocysts per gram of faeces (OPG) and to identify Eimeria species were conducted at the Veterinary Faculty of the University of Murcia. Nine species of Eimeria were identified: E. ovinoidalis (39.8%), E. parva (22.1%), E. weybridgensis (13.5%), E. crandallis (9.4%), E. ahsata (4.6%), E. pallida (3.6%), E. bakuensis (3.5%), E. granulosa (3.4%) and E. faurei (0.1%). Eimeria ovinoidalis, E. parva and E. weybridgensis were the most frequent species but only E. ovinoidalis showed highest oocyst shedding after parturition (P < 0.05). Significant differences in OPG counts were found between before and after lambing weeks (P < 0.05). The detection of several Eimeria species, in particular E. ovinoidalis, suggests that Eimeria spp. probably have an important pathogenic potential in dairy sheep in Murcia. Moreover, the presence of a postparturient rise in Eimeria oocyst shedding indicates that ewes may play an important epidemiologic role in the study area, and the design of control measures will reduce infection of lambs, lower mortality and increase the productivity of the flocks.