[The effect of bentazone, an herbicide produced in Czechoslovakia, on the invasiveness of intestinal nematodes in sheep]. / Vplyv herbicídu bentazón ceskoslovenskej proveniencie na invadovanost oviec gastroenteronematódami.

Possible anthelmintic effects of the Czechoslovak herbicide bentazone (Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Bratislava) on gastrointestinal tract strongylates of common occurrence were investigated in sheep of the Slovak Merino breed (housed on deep bedding and put out to grass daily) during the autumn and spring seasons. Our orientation to the investigation of anthelmintic effects of the mentioned herbicide resulted from the fact that its possible intervention in the energy metabolism of helminths could not be excluded, as it was indirectly indicated by our toxicological studies under the conditions of acute and subacute intoxication. Bentazone was administered at a dose of 250 mg/kg live weight in autumn and 500 mg/kg live weight in the spring season. It was administered per os as a single dose in sunflower oil. A control coprological examination on day 10 following the administration of the herbicide in question indicates the lower invasiveness of sheep in comparison with findings prior to its application (Tab. I) in both experiments (autumn, spring). No marked dose-dependent differences of bentazone efficiency were recorded.