Evaluation of Famacha© Method as a Selective Treatment Criteria to Aid to Conserve the Canindé Goats Breed

doi:10.21203/rs.3.rs-2217426/v1

Download PDF

Research Article

Evaluation of Famacha© Method as a Selective Treatment Criteria to Aid to Conserve the Canindé Goats Breed

https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-2217426/v1

This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License

Version 1

posted

You are reading this latest preprint version

This study evalueted the efficiency of the application of the Famacha© (F ©) system in goats of the Canindé breed. 161 goats were selected, which were examined and classified into 5 categories, F©1 to F©5. Blood samples were collected for complete blood count to get a health profile and hematocrit count (HTC), egg count per gram of feces (ECC) and stool culture to confirm the presence of H. contortus, in two periods of the year, dry and rainy. There were no significant differences between the HTC and F© data between the analyzed periods, and no animal was classified as truly anemic. Therefore, the study concluded that there is a contradictory relationship between the classification of anemia using the F© system, ECC and HTC values related to H. contortus infection, not suggesting the use of the F© method for Canindé goats and still proposing the elaboration of new HTC tracks associated with F© scores.

Haemonchus

resistance

selective treatment

worms

semi-arid region

Famacha

Breeds of domestic animals developed slowly over thousands of years through natural selection and human intervention (artificial selection). During the formation of a breed, many characteristics resulting from different selection pressures become fixed. These pressures include climate change, endemic parasites, diseases and nutritional requirements, as well as the influence of man (ARANDAS et al. 2017).

Gastrointestinal worms are the endoparasitosis that represent greater economic importance in the exploration of small ruminants and have as etiological agent, the nematode species belonging to the Trichostrongylidae family. The losses are due to the low productivity, usually observed in the dry period, and the high mortality, which occurs mainly in the rainy season (VIEIRA et al. 2008).

Some alternative methods are commonly adopted to control parasites in small ruminants, including targeted selective treatment (CINTRA et al, 2018). Among them the FAMACHA© (F©) system. The adoption of this method in the selection of animals that need to receive treatment has shown a reduction in the number of doses and in the cost of antiparasitic medication (BATH & VAN WYK, 2001, MOLENTO et al. 2004).Ferreira et al. (2017) showed the importance of evaluating hematological parameters together with clinical parameters to better classify the animals according to the F© system in locally adapted sheep.

This study aimed to evaluate the adaptation of 161 Canindé goats, in relation to endoparasite infection, through the clinical expression of anemia classified by the F© card compared to the results obtained in the animals' hematocrit and egg counts per gram of feces (ECC) and observe whether the classification of the F© method is consistent with the reference values used in exotic goats.

The procedures in this research were submitted to the Ethics Committee on the Use of Animals (CEUA) of the Federal Rural University of the Semi-arid (UFERSA), being duly authorized by the CEUA/UFERSA (protocol N° 23091003895/2014-71).

A total of 161 adult Canindé goats were randomly selected on a commercial farm called Fazenda Diamantina, in the municipality of Pedro Avelino, Rio Grande do Norte (LAT. S 5°23'9.02688” LONG. 36°23' 9,84352” and ALT. 95m), semi-arid region of Brazil. Raised in an extensive system, and fed only on native vegetation (Caatinga biome), where during the night they were held in a dirt enclosure with ad libitum access to water.

The animals selected were aged between one and a half to three and a half years and received an identification collar listed for control during sample collections, were clinically examined and evaluated for health of individual health. In addition, to ensuring the maintenance of the same sanitary status during the one-year trial period. All had two collections, one during the dry period (August and February) and the other during the rainy period (March and July) (AMORIM et al. 2009).

Blood samples were obtained using a vacuum collection tube, through puncture of the jugular vein. The material was collected, stored in 5 ml tubes containing anticoagulant ethylenediamine tetra-acetic acid (EDTA) for the analysis of the blood count, and then stored in refrigerated isothermal boxes and transported to the Laboratory of Veterinary Anesthesiology of the UFERSA.

The blood count was performed using the SDH-3 automatic analyzer, using the electrical impedance counting method. The variants analyzed were: red blood cell count (RBC), hemoglobin concentration (HE), hematocrit (HCT), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and leukocytes (LEU). However, for this study, only the HCT values obtained were analyzed.

The F© system was applied individually to each animal participating in the experiment. The examination was performed by a single trained examiner with the aid of the F© guide card. The classification was performed according to the color of the ocular mucosa, and expressed between the extreme categories: Grades 1 and 2 are non-anemic animals, with reddish coloring of the ocular mucosa; grade 3, has an intermediate pink color, which may indicate signs of mild anemia; grades 4 and 5, the ocular mucosa presents a light pink to whitish color, indicating severe anemia. The method was performed during both collections and associated with other clinical examinations to identify secondary diseases that could also cause anemia (MOLENTO, 2004).

The stool samples were collected individually directly from the rectum and identified in plastic bags, placed in isothermal boxes, and later transported to the Laboratory of Applied Biotechnology for Infectious Diseases of the UFERSA to count eggs per gram of feces. (ECC) and coproculture to obtain the H. contortus larvae.

The ECC examination was performed using the McMaster technique (Gordon & Whitlock, 1939; CHAGAS et al. 2011). Where 4g of feces was used, diluted in 26 ml of supersaturated solution with sodium chloride. An aliquot was placed in McMaster's chamber. After counting, the samples were subjected to stool culture (UENO & GONÇALVEZ, 1998).

The study variables were classified into discrete and continuous so that they could receive specific treatments according to their statistical nature. Specifically, the ECC values were transformed using logarithm (log x + 1) and analyzed against their real value. The data were checked for the presence of outliers, which will then be imputed by the median of each variable. Subsequently, the normality of the data was verified by the Shapiro-Wilk test (P > 0.05) (Shapiro-Wilks, 1965) and the homoscedasticity of the variances by the Levene test (Levene, 1960). The effect of the season of the year or the categorization effect of the F© score were considered as random effects for the continuous variables and used to categorize the discrete variables. Then, the data were corrected by analysis of variance (ANOVA) with longitudinal measurements to assess the periods effect. Means were compared by Tukey's test with 5% error probability. For the categorization of the F© scores, bar graphs were used to quantify the animals in each classification according to the effect used.

In the observation period there were statistical differences (P < 0.05) only in the OPG and LogOPG counts, in the hematocrit count of the animals there was no significant difference (P = 0.3738), considering the dry and rainy seasons. The descriptive variation of the results was also considered, showing an amplitude in the results of the analyses, in which in both stations, as observed in the ECC variable, where it presented zero count. The high CV numbers are also justified by the large variation in the results, which is considered normal, and needs to be corrected by the logarithmic function (Table 1).

Table 1

– Hematocrit (HTC), egg count (ECC) and ECC logarithm (LogECC) of Canindé goats according to the season effect X = mean; SD = Standard deviation; CV = coefficient of variation; MIN = Minimum; MAX = maximum; 180 observations for the rainy season and 163 observations for the dry season.
Variant	Season	X	SD	CV	MIN	MAX	P-Value
HTC	Dry	36.78ª	5.16	14.02	23.70	58.66	0.3738
	Rainy	36.35ª	3.78	10.40	26.67	58.66	0.3738
ECC	Dry	205.64^a	322.73	156.94	0	2200.00	0.0019
	Rainy	312.78^b	309.91	99.09	0	1925.00	0.0019
LogECC	Dry	1.50^a	1.13	75.07	0	3.34	0.0001
	Rainy	2.18^b	0.75	34.40	0	3.28	0.0001

X = mean; SD = Standard deviation; CV = coefficient of variation; MIN = Minimum; MAX = maximum; 180 observations for the rainy season and 163 observations for the dry season.

To clinically establish the anemic status of the animals, we used the F© score classification. However, the score variable F©, proved to be discrete, and as there is no mean classification in the Famacha© classification, it is impossible to make a correct comparison between the periods. The F©3 limit for anemia was established due to its position of transition between the anemic and non-anemic state, where according to Molento (2004), the animal shows a moderate degree of infection of gastrointestinal and anthelmintic parasites. Thus, we had a significant number of animals classified as clinically anemic in both seasons (Fig. 1).

In Tables 2 and 3, the values of animals within each Famacha© category were averaged during each season of the year, dry and rainy, respectively. And in all the variables observed, the means had no significant changes ( P. 0.05). Between F©3 and 4, the HTC value observed by Vatta et al. (2001) was 18%, and when the correlation between these values and the F© value observed, there was agreement to make the laboratory diagnosis of anemia in goats and sheep (KAPLAN et al., 2004; BURKE et al., 2007; SOTOMAIOR et al., 2012).

Table 2 Hematocrit (HTC), egg count (ECC) and ECC logarithm (LogECC) according to the Famacha© score (F©) classifications of Canindé goats in the dry season

Variant	Famacha© score	X	SD	p-Value
HTC	1	43,54	5,13	0,2100
	2	36,69	1,12
	3	37,85	0,69
	4	36,01	0,59
	5	36,27	1,71
ECC	1	100,00	308,49	0,0011
	2	90,48	67,32
	3	117,27	41,60
	4	317,14	35,16
	5	72,22	108,83
LogECC	1	2,00	1,08	0,0010
	2	1,07	0,24
	3	1,19	0,15
	4	1,89	0,12
	5	1,08	0,36
X = mean; SD = Standard deviation

Table 3

Hematocrit (HTC), egg count (ECC) and ECC logarithm (LogECC) according to the Famacha© score (F©) classifications of Canindé goats in the **rainy season**
Variant	Famacha© score	X	SD	p-Value
HTC	1	-	-	0,0644
	2	36,79	1,13
	3	36,93	0,38
	4	35,55	0,46
	5	33,49	2,16
ECC	1	-	-	0,6238
	2	343,18	93,77
	3	291,92	31,26
	4	344,40	37,99
	5	183,33	179,55
LogECC	1	-	-	0,5619
	2	2,45	0,23
	3	2,13	0,08
	4	2,22	0,09
	5	2,24	0,43
X = mean; SD = Standard deviation

In view of the above, we can say that regardless of the F© category, the hematocrit value in no animal was considered truly positive, and the values that have been considered as reference values for the goat species were not found even in animals classified F4© and F5© in the two seasons of the year.

Nunes et al. (2014) found that animals suffering heat stress and low water intake may have a higher rate of evapotranspiration which increases the hematocrit count, however, when performing the clinical examination to select clinically healthy animals to participate in the experiment, none showed changes in parameters that are also indicators of thermal stress (respiration rate and rectal temperature). Façanha et al. (2013) found that, in sheep of locally adapted breed, the respiratory thermolysis mechanism is the most used to maintain body homeotherm in the face of high ambient temperatures. In addition, the Canindé breed has a dark coat and skin, which facilitates the radiation of heat and reduces the impact of ultraviolet rays on the animal's thermal comfort, which gives this breed an adaptation to semiarid conditions (Ferreira et al. 2020; Ferreira et al. 2021)

Table 4 shows the number of correct classifications, where the F© classification was consistent with the hematocrit result, and among all the animals that participated in the research, only 2 were correctly classified. This indicates the inconsistency in the application of the Famacha© system for Canindé goats.

Table 4

– Number of correct classifications according to the Famacha© (F©) method used in the diagnosis of anemia in Canindé goats in the dry season
Famacha© score	% HTC*	Number of CR
		Dry season	Rainy Season
1	> 28	1	0
2	23–27	1	0
3	18–22	0	0
4	13–17	0	0
5	< 12	0	0
*Van Wyk e Bath (2002); CR = correct ratings

With the limits currently established for laboratory diagnosis of anemia in goats, it was not possible to detect animals positive for anemia in this study. The animal's physiological state in relation to gestation, age and sex also does not influence the values obtained in HTC (OLIVEIRA et al., 2012). Souza Junior, (2019) found that for goats in general, the reference value should be readjusted for the species, as current values do not have a good sensitivity for clinical parameters.

Due to the absence of positive data for anemia it was not possible to calculate the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of F© against hematocrit. which would enable a sensitivity and specificity analysis of the test application in these animals.

The Famacha© method is not suggested for the selective treatment of H. contortus in Canindé goats, raised in an extensive system in the Brazilian semiarid region, as there is a contradictory relationship between the classification of F^©, ECC and HTC scores, in different periods of the year, which can raise the costs of the activity. In addition, to exerting selective pressure on the region's gastrointestinal parasites. It is still necessary to develop new parameters for classification of HTC in scores F^©1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, in which its misuse harms the development of the breed and the conservation of its genetic material.

Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge students from the Research Group of Adaptive Physiology and Conservation of Genetic Resources of Federal University of Semi-arid. This study was financed in part by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - Brasil (CAPES) - Finance Code 001"

Conflict of interest

None.

AMORIM, I. L.; SAMPAIO, E. V. S. B.; ARAÚJO, E. L. Fenologia de espécies lenhosas da Caatinga do Seridó, RN. Revista Árvore, v. 33, n. 3, p. 491-499, 2009.
ARANDAS, J. K. G., ALVES, Â. G. C., FACÓ, O., BELCHIOR, E. B., SHIOTSUKI, L., DE ARRUDA LEITE, P. M. B., & RIBEIRO, M. N. Do traditional sheep breeders perform conscious selection? An example from a participatory breeding program of Morada Nova sheep. Tropical Animal Health and Production, v 49 n 7, p 1479–1487, 2017.
BURKE, J. M. et al. Accuracy of the FAMACHA© system for on-farm use by sheep and goat producers in the southeastern United States. Veterinary Parasitology, v. 147, n. 1–2, p. 89–95, jun. 2007.
CHAGAS, C. A. C. S.; NICIURA, S. C. M.; MOLENTO, M. B. Manual Prático: metodologia de diagnóstico da resistência e de detecção de substâncias ativas em parasitos de ruminantes. Editora: EMBRAPA, 2011.
CINTRA, M. C. R., OLLHOFF, R. D., & SOTOMAIOR, C. S. Sensitivity and specificity of the FAMACHA© system in growing lambs. Veterinary Parasitology, v 251, p 106–111, 2018.
Ferreira JB, Bezerra ACDS, Guilhermino MM, Leite JHGM, da Silva WE, Paiva RDM, Barbosa TN, de Sousa JER, Façanha DAE. Performance, endoparasitary control and blood values of ewes locally adapted in semiarid region. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis. 2017 Jun;52:23-29. doi: 10.1016/j.cimid.2017.05.004. Epub 2017 May 15. PMID: 28673458.
FERREIRA, J., Silveira, R. M. F., de Sousa, J. E. R., & Façanha, D. A. E.. Locally adapted goats efficiently gain and lose heat in an equatorial semi-arid environment. International Journal of Biometeorology, 2020
FERREIRA, J., Silveira, R. M. F., de Sousa, J. E. R., de Vasconcelos, A. M., Guilhermino, M. M., & Façanha, D. A. E. Evaluation of homeothermy, acid-base and electrolytic balance of black goats and ewes in an equatorial semi-arid environment. Journal of Thermal Biology, v. 100, 103027, 2021.
FAÇANHA, D. A. E.; CHAVES, D. F.; MORAIS, J. H. G.; VASCONCELOS, A. M.; COSTA, W. P.; GUILHERMINO, M. M. Tendências metodológicas para avaliação da adaptabilidade ao ambiente tropical. Revista Brasileira de Saúde e Produção Animal, Salvador, v. 14, n. 1, p. 91-103, 2013.
GORDON, H. M.; WHITLOCK, H. V. A new technique for counting nematode eggs in sheep faeces. Journal of Scientific and Industrial Research, v 12, p 50-52, 1939.
KANEKO, J. J.; HARVEY, J. W.; BRUSS, M. L. Clinical Biochemistry of Domestic Animals, 6th ed. Academic Press; San Diego (USA), p. 916, 2008
KAPLAN, R. et al. Validation of the FAMACHA© eye color chart for detecting clinical anemia in sheep and goats on farms in the southern United States. Veterinary Parasitology, v. 123, n. 1–2, p. 105–120, ago. 2004.
MOLENTO, M. B., TASCA, C., GALLO, A., FERREIRA, M., BONONI, R., & STECCA, E. Método Famacha como parâmetro clínico individual de infecções por Haemonchus contortus em pequenos ruminantes. Ciência Rural, v. 34, n 4, p. 1139-1145, 2004.
NUNES, T. L.; OLIVEIRA, M. G. C.; PAIVA, A. L. C.; BEZERRA, T. C. G.; BARRÊTO JÚNIOR, R. A.; PAULA, V. V. Valores hemogasométricos e eletrolíticos de caprinos (Capra Hircus) da raça Canindé criados no semiárido nordestino. Revista Brasileira de Medicina Veterinária, v. 36, n. 3, p. 255-260, 2014.
OLIVEIRA, MARIA G.C. et al. Aspectos hematológicos de caprinos (Capra hircus) da raça Canindé criados no Rio Grande do Norte. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira [online], v. 32, n 1, p 04-08, 2012
Souza Júnior, Rogério Damião de. Avaliação do método FAMACHA© para detecção de anemia por Haemonchus contortus em rebanhos caprinos e ovinos / Rogério Damião de Souza Júnior. - 2019. 76f.: il. Dissertação (Mestrado)-Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Centro de Biociências, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Parasitária, Natal, 2019
UENO, H.; GONÇALVES, P.C. Manual para diagnóstico de helmintoses de ruminantes. 4. ed. Tokyo: Japan International Cooperation Ageny (JICA). 1998.
VAN WYK, J.A.; MALAN, F.S.; BATH, G.F. Rampant anthelmintic resistance in sheep in South Africa – what are the options? In: WORKSHOP OF MANAGING ANTHELMINTIC RESISTANCE IN ENDOPARASITES, Sun City, South Africa. Proceedings, p 51-63, 1997.
VATTA, A. F.; LETTY, B.A.; VAN DER LINDE, M. J.; VAN WIJK, E.F.; HANSEN, J. W.; KRECEK, R. C. Testing for clinical anaemia caused by Haemonchus spp. in goats 79 under resource-poor conditions in South Africa using an eye colour chart developed for sheep. Veterinary Parasitology, n 99, p 1-14, 2001.
VIEIRA, L.S. Métodos alternativos de controle de nematoides gastrintestinais em caprinos e ovinos. Tecnologia & Ciência Agropecuária, v 2, n 2, p 49- 56, 2008.

Download PDF

Version 1

posted

You are reading this latest preprint version

Evaluation of Famacha© Method as a Selective Treatment Criteria to Aid to Conserve the Canindé Goats Breed

Status:

Version 1

Abstract

Figures

Introduction

Material And Methods

Results And Discussion

Conclusion

Declarations

References

Status:

Version 1