Effect of Fasciola gigantica Infection on Nutrient Utilization and Cytokine Gene Expression During Prepatent Period in Growing Crossbred (Bos taurus x Bos indicus) Cattle

A study was undertaken to investigate the nutrient utilization and cytokine gene expression as influenced by Fasciola gigantica infection in crossbred male cattle during prepatent period. Fifteen male (12 months age and 184.5±6.75 kg mean body wt) were randomly divided into three groups of five animals in each group following completely randomized design. Animals in groups I and II were fed with 100 percent, whereas, group III were fed with 75% of NRC (1988) requirement. Animals in groups II and III were infected orally with a dose of 1000 metacercariae of F. gigantica, whereas, animals of group I served as uninfected control. Digestion cum metabolism trial of 8 days duration was conducted after 45 days post infection. The cytokine gene expression (IL-2 and IL-10) were analyzed 45 days post infection by using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) with the double stranded DNA-binding dye SYBR Green to know the T cell response during clinical phase of fasciolosis. Dry matter intake of group III was significantly (P<0.01) lower than groups I and II. Digestibility of ether extract of infected animals was significantly (P<0.05) lower than control whereas digestibility of other nutrients were not influenced due to F. gigantica infection. IL-10 was present in detectable levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of infected animals, whereas in control animals IL-2 was not present in detectable levels. IL-2 was not present in detectable levels in PBMCs of both infected and control groups. It can be construed that nutrient utilization was hardly affected due to Fasciola gigantica infection during prepatent period and T cell response was Th2 type.