The effect of chicory (Cichorium intybus) and sulla (Hedysarum coronarium) on larval development and mucosal cell responses of growing lambs challenged withTeladorsagia circumcincta

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of grazing different bioactive forages on acquired immunity againstTeladorsagia circumcintainfection. The development of immunity was assessed by following the response of trickle-infected lambs grazing chicory (Cichorium intybus; IC), sulla (Hedysarum coronarium; IS) or grass/clover (Lolium perenne/Trifolium repens; IGC), to a single challenge infection. Parasite-naive lambs, grazing grass/clover, were also challenged with the single infection dose providing the uninfected control (UGC) group. Trickle infection significantly reduced worm establishment, inhibited larval development and increased mucosal mast cell (MMC) and globule leucocyte (GL) cells. Grazing treatment (chicory, sulla or grass/clover) significantly affected adult worm (PPPT. circumcinctainfections in growing lambs grazing on either sulla or chicory compared to those grazing on grass/clover, probably due to differences in forage nutritional values.