IN VIVO EFFECTS OF NEEM LEAVES EXTRACT AND IVERMECTIN AGAINST NATURAL TICK INFESTATION IN CALVES

Abstract

Ticks are economically the most important ectoparasite of cattle and other domestic species in tropical and subtropical countries including Bangladesh. The present experiment was carried out to investigate the comparative efficacy of neem (Azadirachta indica) leaves extract (15% as spray) and ivermectin (1% as S/C injection) against tick infestation, their effects on some clinical and hematological parameters in calves. For this purpose a total of 15 calves were examined for the presence of ticks by physical examination and were divided into three equal groups as, Group A (infected control group), Group B (treated with neem) and Group C (treated with ivermectin). After spray of neem leaves extract and injection of ivermectin the treated and control groups were kept for 28 days and clinical and hematological parameters were investigated at 7 days intervals. On the basis of tick count, the efficacy of ivermectin was found 100% on day 7, 14, 21 and 28 after the treatment whereas neem leaves extract (spray) was 68.8% effective at day 28 against tick infestation in calves. The results showed that the body weight of calves increased after treatment in groups B and C respectively, but in control group body weight decreased. Compared to infected control groups, the feeding efficiency increased in all treated group. There was significant increase in hemoglobin concentration (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV%), and total erythrocyte count (TEC) and significant decrease in Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) in the neem and ivermectin treated group. All the calves after neem spray and ivermectin injection remained healthy and no adverse effect were observed. Appetite increased, and growth and coat color improved rapidly. Collectively the results suggest that neem leaves extract may be used as an alternative approach to treat tick infestation where conventional producers are not available or contraindicated.