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Co-grazing of sheep and goats may not be an issue from a parasitological perspective Cover

Co-grazing of sheep and goats may not be an issue from a parasitological perspective

Helminthologia
Volume 62 (2025): Issue 3 (September 2025)
By: I. A. Kyriánová,  I. Knížková,  M. Ptáček,  J. Nápravníková,  O. Kopecký,  T. Husák and  J. Vadlejch  
Open Access
|Nov 2025

Figures & Tables

Fig. 1.

Average monthly temperature (°C) and precipitation (mm) recorded during the 12-month monitoring period. Data were obtained from a nearby meteorological station and reflect typical temperate climate conditions of the study area. Seasonal variation in temperature and rainfall may influence parasite development and transmission.
Average monthly temperature (°C) and precipitation (mm) recorded during the 12-month monitoring period. Data were obtained from a nearby meteorological station and reflect typical temperate climate conditions of the study area. Seasonal variation in temperature and rainfall may influence parasite development and transmission.

Fig. 2

Comparison of strongylid nematode infection in sheep and goats. Data are expressed as eggs per gram of faeces (EPG) and were log-transformed for visualization. Violin plot displays the distribution, median (white dot), interquartile range (thick bar), and density. Higher median and variability were observed in goats. Differences between species were statistically evaluated using the Mann-Whitney U test (U = 24,697.5, p < 0.001).
Comparison of strongylid nematode infection in sheep and goats. Data are expressed as eggs per gram of faeces (EPG) and were log-transformed for visualization. Violin plot displays the distribution, median (white dot), interquartile range (thick bar), and density. Higher median and variability were observed in goats. Differences between species were statistically evaluated using the Mann-Whitney U test (U = 24,697.5, p < 0.001).

Fig. 3.

Seasonal composition of Haemonchus contortus larvae isolated from faecal cultures of goats and sheep over the 12-month monitoring period. H. contortus predominated in goats throughout the year, while in sheep, its prevalence fluctuated seasonally, with a decline in autumn and resurgence in winter months.
Seasonal composition of Haemonchus contortus larvae isolated from faecal cultures of goats and sheep over the 12-month monitoring period. H. contortus predominated in goats throughout the year, while in sheep, its prevalence fluctuated seasonally, with a decline in autumn and resurgence in winter months.

Fig. 4.

Proportion of Trichostrongylus/Teladorsagia spp. larvae recovered from faecal samples during the study. In goats, their abundance increased during the summer, while in sheep a marked peak was observed in October. The grouping reflects the indistinguishable morphology of L3 larvae from these two genera.
Proportion of Trichostrongylus/Teladorsagia spp. larvae recovered from faecal samples during the study. In goats, their abundance increased during the summer, while in sheep a marked peak was observed in October. The grouping reflects the indistinguishable morphology of L3 larvae from these two genera.

Fig. 5.

Seasonal dynamics of Oesophagostomum columbianum larvae identified in coprocultures from goats and sheep. A general decline was observed during the summer (June–July) in both host species, followed by fluctuating increases in the autumn and winter months.
Seasonal dynamics of Oesophagostomum columbianum larvae identified in coprocultures from goats and sheep. A general decline was observed during the summer (June–July) in both host species, followed by fluctuating increases in the autumn and winter months.

Summary of faecal egg counts (EPG), prevalence, and number of samples analysed in sheep and goats throughout the 12-month monitoring period_ EPG values reflect the intensity of trichostrongylid infection, while prevalence indicates the proportion of positive samples per species_ The table also includes the total number of samples obtained, accounting for minor occasional sampling losses due to technical limitations_

Trichostrongylids - sheep
prevalence (%)medianmeangeomeanCI (%)SDpooled samp. (EPG)min. EPGmax. EPG
1001780174716481477 – 201754313407202520
7511209901254669 – 131168730001980
4004571103175 – 73960218001520
86140108732696 – 2078171746005040
6010062750160 – 11931023003640
80500856472305 – 1407996002600
93280692314170 – 121494312003540
945306071533385 – 829446001520
80203751070 – 87289914003520
7940189850 – 396360001260
93700804643459 – 114962352002140
941760163912021007 – 2270122858003900

Monthly milk production and composition in monitored goats and sheep during the lactation period_ Values include milk yield (kg/day) and percentages of fat, protein, and lactose_ Data were collected as part of the official milk recording system in the Czech Republic_ Results represent the average performance of the sampled animals over five (goats) or four (sheep) monthly recordings_

Goats - monitoring performance check results
milk (kg)fat (%)protein (%)lactose (%)
III.2.94.003.154.56
IV.3.02.692.724.18
V.3.12.802.954.32
VI.3.32.702.964.52
VII.2.92.933.014.32
meanmeanmeanmean
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/helm-2025-0030 | Journal eISSN: 1336-9083 | Journal ISSN: 0440-6605
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Language: English
Page range: 175 - 184
Submitted on: Aug 19, 2025
|
Accepted on: Oct 20, 2025
|
Published on: Nov 26, 2025
Published by: Slovak Academy of Sciences, Institute of Parasitology
In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services
Publication frequency: Volume open
Keywords:
diseases,
digestive tract,
nematodes,
pasture,
small ruminants,
mixed-species grazing
Related subjects:
Life sciences,
Zoology,
Ecology,
Life sciences, other,
Medicine,
Clinical medicine,
Microbiology, virology and infection epidemiology

© 2025 I. A. Kyriánová, I. Knížková, M. Ptáček, J. Nápravníková, O. Kopecký, T. Husák, J. Vadlejch, published by Slovak Academy of Sciences, Institute of Parasitology
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

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