Efficacy of a morantel sustained-release bolus for control of gastrointestinal parasites in winter-grazed steers in Mississippi.

From Nov 22, 1983 through May 15, 1984, 36 crossbred steers were allotted into 3 treatment groups (12/group) and were grazed on separate 3.4-hectare pastures. On Nov 22, 1983, the steers were administered a single morantel sustained-release bolus (MSRB), orally (group 1), or a single dose of thiabendazole (TBZ; 66 mg/kg of body weight, orally; group 2), or were left untreated (group 3; controls). Animal weights, nematode egg counts in fecal specimens, and plasma pepsinogen concentrations were monitored monthly. At the termination of the study, 4 steers from each treatment group were slaughtered and necropsied and worm counts were determined. A set of parasite-free tracer calves (3/treatment group) were grazed with each treatment group for 1 month, beginning on Nov 22, 1983; a second set of tracer calves (3/group) were grazed with each treatment group for 1 month, beginning Apr 3, 1984. At the end of their respective grazing periods, tracer calves were held for 3 weeks and then were slaughtered and necropsied and their worm counts were determined. Mean nematode egg counts in fecal specimens of group 1 (MSRB treated) were significantly lower (P less than 0.05) than that of the TBZ-treated or nontreated steers. Differences in worm counts were not found between treatment groups. Differences in worm counts of tracer calves were not found among the 3 groups for November 1983 nor for April 1984. Steers treated with the MSRB had a higher mean weight gain (P less than 0.06) than did the control or TBZ-treated steers.

Photodynamic action of erythrosin B as a toxic mechanism for infective larvae of bovine gastrointestinal nematodes.

The effect of erythrosin B on adults and 3rd stage larvae of gastrointestinal nematodes of cattle was studied by treating calves per os with 20 mg kg-1, 40 mg kg-1, and 60 mg kg-1 of the dye daily for 21 days and monitoring its effect. Erythrosin B had no detectable effect on adult nematode fecundity or viability. Data collected did indicate, however, that erythrosin B produced a consistent toxic effect on 3rd stage larvae after exposure to fluorescent light. This toxic effect was dependent upon dosage of erythrosin B administered, time of light exposure and, to a much lesser extent, the length of time the larvae were left in culture in the presence of the dye.

The effect of erythrosin B on infective larvae of bovine gastrointestinal nematodes.

The effect of erythrosin B and visible light on 3rd stage larvae of gastrointestinal nematodes of naturally-infected cattle was studied. Cattle were treated orally with erythrosin B at dosages of 30 and 40 mg kg-1 day-1 for as many as 17 days. Feces from treated and untreated animals were collected and prepared for culture. Third stage larvae were then collected by Baermannization and exposed to light. Both sunlight and artificial fluorescent light were shown to be toxic to 3rd-stage-larvae after treatment with erythrosin B. This toxic reaction was significant after only 2 consecutive daily treatments.