Studies on peri-parturient rise phenomenon in faecal egg counts of goats in Jaipur district of semi-arid Rajasthan

The peri-parturient rise (PPR) in faecal egg counts in field goats naturally infected with strongyle (predominantly Haemonchus contortus) worms was investigated. A total of 23 lactating goats reared by farmers in four villages (Nayala, Chaksu, Bassi and Kanota) of Jaipur district (Rajasthan) were monitored for the intensity of strongyle infection at weekly interval during October-November, 2020. On each occasion, fresh faecal samples were collected per-rectum from individual lactating does at weekly interval at 0 day to 8th week post-kidding and from selected non-lactating does (27), bucks (12) and kids (20) at fortnightly intervals during the same period. The faecal samples were subjected to McMaster technique for estimation of faecal egg count (FEC). Overall mean intensity of strongyle infection varied significantly (P<0.001) from 1978.3±132.5 eggs per gram (epg) on day 0 of kidding to 184.2±46.1 epg on 8th week post-kidding. There was a continuous and gradual decline in FECs from the 2nd week post-kidding onwards in all villages, suggesting non-occurrence of PPR in goats naturally infected with strongyles. During the contemporary period, the overall mean intensity of strongyle infection from non-lactating animals in the same flocks showed a similar declining magnitude with advancement of period. Thus, it can be inferred that peri-parturient anthelmintic drench in late winter is not warranted in the area studied and adoption of this practice will reduce selection pressure for anthelmintic resistance in gastrointestinal nematodes.