The Effect of Certain Mineral Supplements on Lambs Infected with the Stomach Worm (Haemonchus Contortus)

Abstract

Experiments were conducted to determine the effect of mineral supplementation on lambs infected with stomach worms (Haemonchus contortus).The results show that the greatest resistance of lambs to infection was obtained by feeding cobalt and steamed bone meal in combination. The effect produced by cobalt supplementation may be due, at least in part, to an increased rate of synthesis of vitamin B₁₂ in the rumen and its increased availability to the host. The exact mechanism by which steamed bone meal functions to increase resistance to stomach worm infection is not clear. It does appear, however, that when lambs are subjected to the severe strain of heavy parasitic infection, the requirements for factors contained in steamed bone meal are considerably increased.