The effects of age and previous infection on the development of gastrointestinal parasitism in cattle

Abstract

An age resistance in cattle to establishment of infection with Cooperia oncophora was not demonstrated. Cattle exposed to a heavy infection for the first time at approximately 15 months of age were as susceptible to establishment of infection as 3 to 4 month old calves, but stunting of worms and inhibition of ovulation did occur in the older animals, possibly due to a rapid development of resistance as a result of sensitization by a previous extremely light infection. An age resistance in cattle to infection with Nematordirus helvetianus was not clearly demonstrated. At necropsy, 8 of 9 calves and 2 of 6 yearlings exposed to pasture infections for the first time did harbour Nematodirus worm burdens, while yearlings which were heavily infected previously were completely free of this species. Under the conditions of this investigation, age and acquired resistance to Ostertagia ostertagi were not demonstrated, since previously non-exposed calves and yearlings and previously infected yearlings had comparable worm burdens. This study demonstrated the adverse effect that heavy parasitism has on the development of susceptible animals. Animals which had little or no exposure to parasitism were found to be much more susceptible to the effects of parasites than were resistant animals.