Effects on serum mineral concentration in Sahabadi sheep experimentally infected with Haemonchus contortus

The present study was conducted to determine the effects of experimentally induced H. contortus infection on serum mineral concentration in Sahabadi sheep. Fourteen apparently healthy Sahabadi sheep were divided into two groups; infected (n = 8) and uninfected control (n = 6). All the sheep of infected group were orally infected with third stage larvae of H. contortus (@700 larvae/kg body weight). Blood samples were collected on 7 occasions at 7 day intervals from 0 day post-infection (DPI) onwards and concentration of serum calcium (Ca), inorganic phosphorous (P), iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) were estimated. Haemonchosis caused significant (P<0.05) decrease in concentration of serum Ca and Fe from 21 and 14 DPI, respectively. Serum inorganic P and Zn concentration declined significantly (P<0.05) on 42 and 28 DPI, respectively in infected sheep compared to control group. Haemonchosis hampered the absorption of dietary macro-elements (Ca and P) and produced negative impact on serum iron concentration due to anaemia.