Mokshata Gupta1 andTanmay Mondal2
1Assistant Professor, Department of Animal Nutrition, DUVASU, College of Veterinary Science, Mathura, U.P-281001
2Assistant Professor, Department of Veterinary Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Veterinary Science, Rampura Phul, GADVASU, Punjab-151103
1Corresponding author: mokshata.gupta@upvetuniv.edu.in
Internal parasitism is one of the most persistent and significant challenge being faced by livestock farmers. Common parasites, such as flukes, roundworms, and tapeworms, affect millions of grazing animals, compromising their productivity and welfare. These parasitic infestations lead to reduced feed efficiency, weight loss, impaired reproductive performance and significant economic losses. While chemical dewormers are widely used, their overreliance has caused escalating issues of drug resistance. This necessitates alternative strategies, such as nutritional management, to address parasitism sustainably.

Impact of Internal Parasites
Internal parasites affect livestock in numerous ways. Directly, they consume vital nutrients, disrupt digestion, and damage internal organs. For example, blood-sucking parasites like Haemonchus contortus lead to anemia, while others impair gut function, reducing the absorption of vital nutrients. Indirectly, parasitic infestations weaken the immune system, leaving animals more vulnerable to secondary infections. The economic consequences include reduced growth rates, lower milk and meat yields, and increased veterinary costs, making parasitism a difficult obstacle to livestock profitability.
The Role of Nutrition in Combating Parasitism
A well-balanced diet has proven to be an effective and sustainable approach to mitigating the impacts of parasitism. Proper nutrition enhances the immune system, aids recovery, and directly reduces parasite burdens. Key benefits of balanced nutrition include:
- Boosting Immunity: Essential nutrients like proteins, vitamins, and minerals support the production of antibodies and immune cells, enabling animals to combat infections more effectively.
- Aid Recovery: Nutritional supplementation accelerates tissue repair, restores weight lost during infection, and replenishes vital reserves.
- Reduce Parasite Burden: Certain dietary components, such as condensed tannins, have direct anti-parasitic properties by impairing parasite reproduction and survival. For instance, feeding tannin-rich forages to cattle has been shown to significantly reduce fecal egg counts.
Key Nutrients in Parasite Management
- Proteins: Adequate protein intake is essential for producing immune components like immunoglobulins, which help neutralize parasites. Animals with protein-deficient diets exhibit lower resistance to parasitic infections due to reduced antibody production. Protein supplementation also helps in tissue repair and maintaining overall resilience. . Research showed that calves receiving sufficient milk and protein experience fewer worm infections.
- Vitamins: They play a vital role in managing parasitic infections by supporting various physiological functions essential for immunity and overall health. Vitamin A helps maintain the integrity of intestinal linings, preventing parasites from infiltrating tissues, with deficiencies compromising gut immunity. Vitamin D supports calcium metabolism and immune function, indirectly reducing susceptibility to parasitism. Additionally, B-complex vitamins are crucial for energy metabolism and immune support, particularly when synthesized with cobalt, enhancing the animal’s ability to combat parasitic challenges.
- Minerals: Zinc, iron, and cobalt are essential minerals that play a significant role in managing internal parasitism. Zinc is vital for T-cell development and overall immune response, with supplementation shown to reduce parasite loads and enhance immunity. Iron is crucial in combating anemia caused by blood-feeding parasites, helping to restore the animal’s health and resilience. Cobalt, required for the synthesis of vitamin B12, contributes to immune modulation, further helping in the defense against parasitic infections. Together, these minerals form an integral part of a nutritional strategy to bolster livestock health and resistance to parasitism.
Dietary Strategies for Managing Parasites
Several nutritional strategies can help manage internal parasitism effectively:
- Mineral Blocks and Supplements: Providing mineral licks enriched with essential minerals ensures animals receive essential micronutrients.
- Protein-Rich Diets: Feeding protein-dense diets during critical periods, such as weaning and lactation, enhances resistance to parasitic infections.
- Incorporation of Anti-Parasitic Plants: Forages like chicory, rich in condensed tannins, disrupt the parasite lifecycles, thus, reducing their reproductive success. Moreover, these tannins have bypass effect that may mount an effective immune response of the host against the parasitic infestation.
Integrating Nutrition with Management Practices
While nutrition plays a pivotal role, combining it with other management strategies offers comprehensive benefits as follows:
- Rotational Grazing: Regularly moving livestock to fresh pastures minimizes the accumulation of parasite larvae.
- Improved Housing: Maintaining clean, dry, and well-ventilated shelters reduces exposure to parasitic eggs and larvae.
- Biological Control: Techniques like introducing nematode-destroying fungi into pastures have shown promise in reducing parasite burdens.
Conclusion
Internal parasitism remains a major challenge for livestock farmers, significantly impacting animal health, productivity, and farm profitability. While chemical dewormers have traditionally been the primary control measure, the rising threat of drug resistance underscores the need for sustainable alternatives. Nutritional strategies coupled with management practices, serves as a holistic approach that can effectively combat parasitism while minimizing reliance on chemical interventions. By prioritizing nutrition and adopting sustainable practices, we can protect livestock and ensure their long-term productivity.