Assessment of Gastrointestinal Parasites and Productive Parameters on Sheep Fed on a Ration Supplemented with Guazuma ulmifolia Leaves in Southern Mexico

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Gastrointestinal (GI) parasite infections represent a serious problem in small ruminant production. This issue is currently potentiated by anthelmintic resistance. Thus, the need for more sustainable control alternatives has increased during recent decades. The use of bioactive forages with condensed tannins (CTs) has shown encouraging results. The local Mexican plant Guazuma ulmifolia is cited in ethnoveterinary studies and naturally selected by sheep (Pelibuey breed). G. ulmifolia contains a certain amount of CTs. Therefore, this study aimed at evaluating the impact of G. ulmifolia in sheep diet on animal performance and GI parasites eggs/oocysts excretion. Twenty-two sheep were randomly distributed into two groups: a control group without G. ulmifolia and a test group receiving a diet which contained G. ulmifolia fresh foliage at 30% of the total diet dry matter. For 30 days, weight, body condition, and GI parasite load were assessed. The results showed no significant anthelmintic and anticoccidial effects (p > 0.05) as well as inconsistent impact on live weight during the 30-days experiment. Nevertheless, considering the bromatological analysis of G. ulmifolia, its use as a diet supplement to adjust protein and calcium deficits of poor-quality forage is justified. ABSTRACT: This study aimed at evaluating the impact of a diet supplemented with Guazuma ulmifolia leaves on the productive performance and gastrointestinal parasites (GI) eggs/oocysts shedding of sheep (Pelibuey breed). Twenty-two non-lactating ewes were used. They were randomly allocated to two similar groups in terms of age, weight, body condition score (BCS), and GI parasites status. For 30 days, while the control group (G0) was given basic forage hay of Cynodon nlemfuensis, the test group (G1) received a blend of G. ulmifolia fresh foliage and C. nlemfuensis hay (respectively 30 and 70% of the diet on a DM basis). Animals were housed in separate covered pens. Quantitative coprological analysis was performed. Weight and BCS were evaluated. The daily feed amounts given and refused were measured in order to assess nutrient components intake (minerals, energy, and nitrogen). The results showed no significant differences between G1 and G0 regarding the anthelmintic and anticoccidial effects (p = 0.57, p = 0.91, respectively). Similarly, no significant overall impact on weight and BCS during the experiment (p = 0.77, p = 0.32, respectively) was observed. Nevertheless, concerning the bromatological analysis of G. ulmifolia, its use as a diet supplement to address protein and mineral deficits due to a poor-quality diet is fully justified.