The current results indicate the positive impact of treatment with anti-parasites (Ivermectin) on occurrence rate of mastitis in Baladi cows. Mavrogianni et al. (2012); Mavrogianni et al. (2014) found that increased frequency of clinical or subclinical mastitis through the first two weeks post-partum in ewes that suffer from indo-parasitic infections. Staphylococcus aureus is considered one of the major pathogenic agents of the udder that causes mainly subclinical infection (mastitis) (Tenhagen et al. 2001; Leitner et al., 2003; Olde Riekerink et al., 2008). Infections by endo-parasites lead to decreasing weight gain, reduced nitrogen balance, negative affect metabolism of protein metabolism and suppressing immune response in calves )Randall and Gibbs 1981; Wiggin and Gibbs, 1990). Ashraf et al. (2018) showed that cows which treatment with Ivermectin exhibited anti- Staphylococcus aureus activity than other cows. Uhlir (1991) observed that antibody activity is increased after treatment with Ivermectin in rabbits. Backes (2016) reported that white blood cells and lymphocytes were greater in cows treated with anti-parasitic than control cows’ group. Similar results reported by Sajid et al. (2006); Ghassan et al. (2011); Jameel et al. (2015) who stated that treatment the cows with Ivermectin lead to increase total number of white blood cells and lymphocyte cells in those cows and the reflection of this on the raising of the immunity in animals. Torres et al. (2016) observed that Ivermectin drug was effective against biofilm formation by Staphylococcus aureus. Recently, Heidary and Gharebaghi (2020) discovered many effects of Ivermectin drug to against some diseases and highly effective against many microorganisms it worked as (antimicrobial, antiviral, and anti-cancer) it called the wonder drug. Mastrangelo et al. (2012) reported that Ivermectin acts as an anti-viral agent versus to flavivirus by inhibiting its replication activity. Another recent studies by Lv et al. (2018); Yamasmith et al. (2018) underlined Ivermectin role effective potential as an antiviral able to reducing viral load in the host. Furthermore, Lim et al. (2013); Omansen et al. (2015) suggested that Ivermectin acts an anti-mycobacterial activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium ulcerans. In the light previous studies lower percentage of mastitis in treated cows group than untreated in the present study may be attributed to the effect of Ivermectin as an anti- antimicrobial (anti- Staphylococcus aureus) activity in cows udders.
Treatment with anti-parasites (Ivermectin) led to an improvement in the reproductive efficiency measurements in cows, through a decrease in the period from birth until conception, as well as a higher pregnancy rate from the first service. The present findings correspond with that reported by Walsh et al. (1995); Sanchez et al. (2002) who found that the interval from calving to conception was less in dairy cows which treated with anti-parasites (Ivermectin or Eprinomectin) compared to untreated cows. Orellana et al. (1999) stated that treatment of cows with anti-parasite led to reduce the interval from calving to conception. Seliem et al. (2010) showed that infected buffaloes with internal parasites liver worm (Fasciola) need a long time from calving to conception (156.75, day) compared to non-infected group (112.46, day). Mejía et al. (1999) stated that treatment the dairy heifers with anti-parasitic (Ivermectin) caused to increased growth rate and earlier onset of ovarian functions. Ballweber et al. (1997) suggested that used anti-parasites (Doramectin or Ivermectin) in cattle led to significant increase in weight in drug-treated groups relative to untreated groups, ranging from 0.132 to 0.272 kg average daily gain. Lacau-Mengidoet al. (2000) observed that Ivermectin treated dairy heifers recorded increased serum IGF-1, this cause to acceleration of sexual and somatic maturation. Buffaloes having poor body condition score had less number of small and large follicles in their ovaries hence low incidence of good quality oocytes (Ahmed et al., 1999). Observed in ewes having poor body condition lowering LH secretion or decline its pulse frequency. This effect is mediated through glucose level, or insulin growth factor-I(IGF-1) (Snyder et al., 1999). Deficiency of energy is conceder one of most agents detrimental to reproduction of livestock (Dunn and Moss, 1992). McClure (1994) reported that energy deficiency causing to inhibit ovarian function at pituitary synthesis/release of gonadotropin. Level of IGF-1 is very important to ovarian follicular development (Robinson, 1996). Backes (2016) who found that treatment with Long-Acting Eprinomectin (anti-parasites) lead to increasing conception rates compared to control group (89 vs. 50%). Higher pregnancy rate (94%) for the beef cows that treated with anti-parasitic drugs compared with untreated beef cows 82% (Stromberg et al., 1997). Larson et al. (1995) suggested that pregnancy rate was higher (56.4%) in beef heifers that treated with Ivermectin than control heifers (25.6%). Pregnancy rate was 72% and 87% in control cows’ group and Ivermectin treatments group, respectively in Ontario cow (Kaleyet al., 2019). Loyacano et al. (2002) stated that pregnancy rate was higher (78%) in beef heifers that treatment with Ivermectin than no treatment heifers (54%). Volk et al. (2019) suggested that beef heifers which treated with Eprinomectin (anti-parasites) recorded greater (84%) pregnancy rate compared with control group heifers (68%). Orellana et al. (1999) reported that treatment with anti-parasites was associated with increasing the conception rate. Seliem et al. (2010) showed that higher pregnancy rate in buffaloes that treated with anti-Fasciola drugs (67.7%) than control group buffaloes (16.7%). Hammam et al. (2011) found that the pregnancy rate in the healthy treated buffaloes was higher (55.6 %) than buffaloes’ infection with liver worm (Fasciola hepatica) (30.8 %). Hawkins (1993); Gross et al. (1999) stated that anthelmintic-treated beef cows recorded higher conception rate and calving rate compared to untreated controls. The present results indicate increase the conception rate in treated cows by anti-parasites compared to untreated cows may be due to improved weight gains and general body condition score of treated cows during postpartum period than untreated cows. Larson et al. (1995) reported that treatment beef heifers with Ivermectin improved weight gains and pregnancy rate during a 60-dbreeding season. Barakat et al. (1995) showed that acute infection with nematodes worms (internal parasites) was associated with low incidences of conception rate and ovarian activity in cows and buffaloes. Somchez et al. (2002) stated that removing external and internal parasites around calving improve the energy balance through the postpartum period and therefore improve the reproductive performance of cows. Maintaining of body weight and body condition score during postpartum period lead to increased energy balance and have also positive effect on reproductive performance of beef cows (Hess et al., 2005). Improving of body weight and body condition score of beef heifers which treated with extended-release Eprinomectin (anti-parasites) during breeding season may be the main cause to improved their reproductive performance (Volk et al., 2019). Marked improvement was showed in reproductive performance of cow and heifers after administration of anthelmintic treatment compared to untreated controls (Andresen et al., 2017). Rehbein et al. (2013) reported that treatment with deworming drugs led to reduce worm burdens and increase weight gains in cattle. Infections with trematode (internal parasite) it causing depressed appetite and feed intake in affected sheep hence decreased available energy (Taylor et al., 2007; Rojo-Vázquez et al., 2012). El-Khadrawy et al. (2008) reported that buffalo-cows with (internal parasites) (Fasciola) recorded lower concentrations of serum Zn, Cu, Fe and Se compared to healthy animals. Ahmed et al. (1998) stated that buffaloes which have lowering in Cu or Zn in blood are suffering to weak growth and infertility.
Cows treated with anti-parasites (Ivermectin) showed a decrease in ovarian dysfunction such as anestrous cases during the two months after parturition, which reflected on the decrease in the period from birth to conception in the treated cows. The current result is agreeing with that recorded by Barakat et al. (2001) who found that cows infected by internal parasites (liver worm) was associated with loss of body condition, decreased fertility and prolonged anoestrus period. Ahmed (2006); Ahmed et al. (2006) observed that infected buffaloes with internal parasites liver worm (Fasciola) recorded prolonged anestrous period compared with healthy animals. Stewart et al. (1992) stated that treatment of beef replacement heifers with Ivermectin led to improved weight gain, feed efficiency, and estrous activity. Barakat et al. (1995) showed that acute infection with nematodes worms (internal parasites) was associated with low occurring of ovarian activity in cows and buffaloes. Anthelmintic treated dairy cattle recorded less time to recovering estrous during postpartum period (Sanyal et al., 1992). Liver fluke infections (Fasciolosis) in bovine were associated with ovarian inactivity and other infertility problems (Ahmed, 2007). Simsek et al. (2007) reported that 58% of repeat breeder cows were suffering from liver worm (Fasciola. hepatica). Jeffcoate et al. (1988); Fernandez-Abella et al. (2006) found that reduction in ovulation rate and ovarian activity in infected ewes with internal parasites. El-Khadrawy et al. (2008) reported that lower concentrations of serum Zn, Cu, Fe and Se in buffalo which infected by liver worm (Fasciola)compared to healthy animals. Kommisrud (2005) suggested that there is a positive correlation between increased pre-partum blood selenium levels and decreased incidence of ovarian cysts and anestrus/silent estrus during the post-partum period in Norwegian dairy herds.
Cows treated with anti-parasites (Ivermectin) showed an increase in the levels of progesterone and estradiol at estrus, which had a positive impact on the high pregnancy rate from the first service. The present result is agreeing with that reported by Waldman et al. (2001) who reported that a strong inverse association between the probability of non-return to estrus and progesterone concentration at the time of estrus in cows. Busch et al. (2008) showed that pregnant cows have higher progesterone concentration at day 10 post- service compared with non-pregnant cow. The current result in agreement with that stated by Lemley et al. (2010) found that increase of progesterone post- service was associated with elevated pregnancy maintenance and improvement development of embryonic. Rivera et al. (2011) decrease progesterone concentrations during follicle growth in dairy cows lead to low cow embryo quality production. Higher pre- and post- service progesterone concentrations were associated with improvement of the fertility. Progesterone modifies ovarian and uterine function through direct effects or indirect effects on fertilization and early stages from development of embryo (Cerri et al., 2011). El-Khadrawy et al. (2008) suggested that buffaloes have (internal parasites) (Fasciola) recorded lower concentrations of blood Zn, Cu, Fe and Se compared to healthy animals. Kamada, (2017); Kassab et al. (2020) reported that supplementation of selenium to diet in dairy and beef cows led to increasing in progesterone and estradiol concentrations during estrous cycle. Sadek and Shaheen (2015) showed that there is increasing in serum progesterone in Baladi cows during postpartum after treatment with Ivermectin (anti-parasites) for up to 3 months. Opposite trend showed for estradiol in blood serum and returned to the increasing during three months after treatment. Seliem et al. (2010) observed that increasing in progesterone and decreasing in estradiol in blood serum of buffaloes that treated with (Anti-Fasciola-hepatica). Hammam et al. (2011) showed that infected buffaloes with liver worm (Fasciola) had a decrease in estradiol concentrations (28.42 + 8.64 pg/ml) than the healthy group (39.61 + 18.23 pg/ml). Lopez-Diaz et al. (1998) found that Friesian heifers infected with liver flukes (liver worm) recorded decline levels of progesterone than healthy animals. They suggested that liver flukes may be able to alter normal metabolism and/or balance of sex hormones. In conclusion, the current study indicated there is an association between treated cows with anti-parasites (Ivermectin) two months prepartum and incidence rate of mastitis beside an improvement in the reproductive performance in treated cows compared to untreated cows, therefore the present study recommends the herdsmen's treat their cows during prepartum period by anti-parasites (Ivermectin) for less mastitis and improved reproductive performance.