Effects of levamisole on haematological and oxidative stress parameters in packed donkeys; Efficacy of levamisole and ivermectin against strongyle infection in donkeys

Abstract Stress may be caused by psychological, physiological, environmental and physical factors. The aim of the study was to investigate the ameliorative and anti-oxidative effects of levamisole on stress, and the comparative efficacy of levamisole and Ivermectin in the control of Strongyle infection in donkeys. Adult male donkeys (n = 35) aged between 4–5 years; 25 naturally infested with Strongyle spp and 10 apparently healthy (free of helminth infestation) were selected for this study, divided broadly into 2 groups: Anthelmintic efficacy study group comprising 20 (10 donkeys for Ivermectin efficacy studies and the other 10 for Levamisole efficacy study on clearing strongyles from the gastro-intestinal tract of donkeys). The oxidative stress amelioration groups were A, B, C of five donkeys each: Groups A and B donkeys were the apparently healthy group; while Group C donkeys were naturally infected with Strongyle spp. All the donkeys in the oxidative stress amelioration group participated in packing of 40 kg for 10 km. Groups B and C were treated with levamisole at 7.5 mg/kg, while Group A received no treatment prior to packing. Blood was collected from all donkeys in the oxidative stress amelioration group for haemogram and oxidative stress biomarker analyses. No significant effect (P > 0.05) was observed between groups: A, B and C for: respiratory rate, pulse rate and rectal temperature; haemogram, and malondialdehyde concentration, activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase. Erythrocyte membranes were osmotically stable at 0.5% NaCl in the treated group in comparison to the controls. Packing of donkeys for 10 km did not induce significant changes in vital parameters, haemogram and biomarkers of oxidative stress, but levamisole improved erythrocyte membrane stability. It was concluded that packing for 10 km did not induce any significant changes in blood cellular components and biomarker of oxidative stress, but levamisole improved erythrocyte membrane stability. Ivermectin was administered at a dose rate of 0.2 mg /kg per os and Levamisole at a dose rate of 7.5 mg/kg per os for the helminth efficacy study. Levamisole efficacy treatment group had a reduction test of 86.8% while Ivermectin efficacy study group had 76%. This may indicate occurrence of resistance to both drugs in the donkeys. Further research is needed in order to obtain the efficacy of this drugs in a larger population There is a need to develop better and improved management practices to combat and ameliorate the challenge that helminthosis in donkeys posses to the health and working performance of donkeys.