Importance of Fasciola hepatica on weight gain and second pregnancy rate in naturally infested beef cattle

Abstract

The production effect of naturally infected heifers with Fasciola hepatica on live weight and sexual performance is discused in relation to second mate. Two grups of 30 Aberdeen Angus heifers 2 years old grazed on natural pasture were dosed as follow: 1º. Levamisol 5 mg./kg. every 28 days. 2º. Closantel 2,5 mg./kg. and Levamisol 5 mg/kg. every 28 days. Body weight was taken every 28 days and fecal sample every 84 days. The pregnancy was checked by rectal dlagnosis testing. The dosed group with flukicide was negative to F. hepatica over all the experiment while the no dosed group was positive. The positive group showed lessions in bile duct by liver function test. There was not significative difference on body weight and pregnancy percentage between the groups. The importance of F. hepatica on cow beef cattle is discused in relation with grazed behaviour in Uruguay.