Protein profile of lambs experimentally infected with Haemonchus contortus and supplemented with selenium and copper

BACKGROUND: Gastrointestinal nematodes cause significant economic losses in the sheep industry, with frequent reports of anthelmintic resistance. Therefore, alternative methods to control these parasites are necessary. Thus, the aim of the present study was to assess the effect of treatment with selenium and copper on the protein profile of sheep that were experimentally infected with Haemonchus contortus. METHODS: Twenty-eight lambs were experimentally infected with H. contortus and divided into four experimental groups as follow: G1 - untreated animals; G2 - treated with sodium selenite; G3 - treated with copper; G4 - treated with sodium selenite and copper. The serum protein, body weight and egg count per gram of feces (EPG) were assessed at the baseline and after 20, 40, 60 and 80 days. The parasite burden was assessed 80 days after the beginning of the experiment. RESULTS: Higher levels of total protein and gamma globulin were observed in the lambs treated with sodium selenite and copper on D80. Copper acted as a growth promoter. The copper-supplemented groups exhibited higher daily and total weight gain. The association of selenium and copper altered the protein profile of sheep. Copper and selenium supplementation reduced EPG and worm burden at the end of the experiment. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate the positive effect of the combined parenteral supplementation of Se and Cu on H. contortus infection. CONCLUSIONS: This injectable supplementation could be used as an auxiliary method to control H. contortus in sheep.