Skip to main content
ARS Home » Southeast Area » Booneville, Arkansas » Dale Bumpers Small Farms Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #354559
Title: Efficacy of compound X (Bedoukian Research) on reducing fecal egg count in lambs

Author
item FRANCE, M - Louisiana State University
item KELLY, VICKI - Louisiana State University
item MILLER, JAMES - Louisiana State University
item Burke, Joan
item MCKENZIE, K - Louisiana State University

Submitted to: Journal of Animal Science
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/15/2017
Publication Date: 2/4/2018
Citation: France, M.M., Kelly, V.E., Miller, J.E., Burke, J.M., Mckenzie, K.M. 2018. Efficacy of compound X (Bedoukian Research) on reducing fecal egg count in lambs. Journal of Animal Science. 96 (E-Suppl. 1), 71.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) parasites are a major constraint to profitable sheep production. Due to long-term use of anthelmintics, GIN populations have developed resistance to those available. The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of a proprietary compound developed by Bedoukian Research Inc. which will be called Compound X (CoX, a ketone related to an approved flavoring ingredient, with an LD50 in humans of > 5000 mg/kg and it has been classified as a biochemical with EPA). Twenty weaned lambs were removed from pasture and maintained in a dirt floor pen. After a 1 wk acclimation period, lambs were randomly allocated to 2 groups, n=10 each based on fecal egg count (FEC) done on d 0 prior to treatment. Fifteen ml of CoX, mixed with 15 ml of mineral oil (for solubility), was administered by oral drench daily for 8 d to each animal in the treatment group, and control group animals were administered an equivalent amount of mineral oil. FEC was monitored for an additional 4 d after stopping treatment. Each day, feces were collected directly from the rectum and processed for determination of FEC using the McMaster technique. Data were analyzed using Proc Mixed with repeated measures on log transformed FEC, which were back-transformed for presentation. On d 0, FEC was similar for treatment and control groups (7,704 ± 2,410 and 7,301 ± 2,284 eggs/g, respectively (P = 0.9035)). There was a significant (P < 0.0001) treatment × day interaction with mean treatment FEC being lower than control FEC for the duration of the study even after treatment was terminated. CoX FEC were 71% lower than control on d 11; FEC were 36% lower and 82% lower on d 11 than d 0 for control and CoX, respectively. Results indicated that CoX was effective in reducing and maintaining FEC under the conditions of this study. The fact that FEC remained low after stopping treatment indicated that the effect might be on eliminating the worms and not just reducing FEC temporarily. This compound may be a viable treatment to aid in the control of GIN infection.