The effect of crude ethanolic extract of Diospyros mespiliformis (Ebenaceae) on the clinicopathological parameters of Yankasa sheep experimentally infected with Haemonchus contortus

The clinicopathological parameters of 25 Yankasa sheep of both sexes weighing between 10 and 23 kg, aged 6–12 months, were evaluated under experimental conditions following infection with Haemonchus contortus. Clinical parameters (temperature, respiratory rate, pulse rate, faecal egg count and body weight) were evaluated before and after infection, as well as before and after treatment. Also, gross and histopathological changes were determined. Changes in body weight, temperature, pulse rate and respiratory rate of the experimental animals were not statistically significant (P > 0.05), while the changes observed in egg per gram (EPG) count were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Clinical signs observed include the following: weakness, dullness, diarrhoea, emaciation and reduced feed intake prior to treatment. However, there was amelioration of clinical signs and reversion of clinical parameters to near pre-infection values on day 42 post-infection among the albendazole and extract-treated groups following treatment on day 21 post-infection. At post-mortem, carcasses of animals in groups D and C were pale with ulcers on the abomasal mucuosa. The abomasum and the lung showed multifocal areas of congestion. Histopathologically, the liver showed congestion of the central vein with the presence of eosinophil in the central veins and the sinusoids; there were multifocal eosinophilic and lymphocytic infiltrations in the submucosa and lamina propria with vacuolation of the abomasal glands. Changes similar to those seen in haemonchosis under natural conditions were also observed. Significant P < 0.05 decrease was observed in EPG following treatment with the extract. P < 0.05 was considered significant throughout the study. © 2014, Springer-Verlag London.