Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Nematoda in Cattle In Pintu Rime Gayo Highland of Bener Meriah Regency

This study was carried out to assess the prevalence of gastrointestinal nematode in cattle in the Pintu Rime Gayo, a highland sub district of Bener Meriah Regency, Aceh according to age and sex. Stool samples were collected from 150 cattle aged 0-6, 7-12 and >12 months old. Examination was performed by using a centrifuge. Samples tested positive when found gastrointestinal nematode parasite eggs. The data obtained were analyzed with Chi-Square. The results showed that the prevalence of gastrointestinal nematode in cattle aged 0-7 months (32%) was significantly higher (p<0.05) than that in cattle aged 7-12 months (22%) and >12 months (12%). The parasite was markedly more prevalent (p<0.05) in female cattle (23.9%) than that in male cattle (15.2%). In conclusion, susceptibility of cattle in the Pintu Rime Gayo highland to gastrointestinal nematode infection was influenced by


Background
Indonesia has implemented various efforts in agricultural development to nationally fulfill the need for food of its people.Ninety nine percent of Indonesian population, that now reach 215 millions, still consume rice as the main diet (Darmiato, dkk, 2003;Wibowo, 2003), Domestic animals have become one of important commodity in a country from its significant role in economic development.One of closely related, important factors for animal production is animal health.Breeding animals have poor health status might influence total production of industry, that in turn reduce national income of a country.
Parasitic diseases are among infectious diseases potentially disturbing health status of domestic animals such as cattle, goat, buffalo and sheep, bringing about fluctuated farm animal production (Eberhardt et. al., 2007).Economic losses caused by gastrointestinal nematodes alone are much higher than that caused by protozoa and insects (Mustika and Riza, 2004).The losses come from emaciation, delayed growth, lower immunity and abnormal metabolism.Additionally, Oluwafemi and Anosa (2000), describe indirect several losses from declined potencies such as anemia and weight loss in young cattle and low body development.
Economic loss from the incidence of worm infestation in cattle is significantly influenced by geographical location, climate and seasons (Anonymous, 2008b).Main factors might result in high incidence of parasitic diseases, in particular gastrointestinal nematodes, are topography, age, sex and inappropriate raising management, causing in the failure in blocking life cycle of the worm.Brotowidjoyo (1987) suggested that parasite is an animal or a plant lives in the body of other organism and relies on the host organism for food without competition.Parasite is also classified as an organism lives from other animals efforts without contribution.
This study was done to explore prevalence of gastrointestinal nematode in highland cattle according to age and sex.

Material and Methods
Fresh feces samples were collected from male and female cattle in the Pintu Rime Gayo Subdistrict, placed in a labeled plastic bag, and brought in cold condition to the Parasitology Laboratory of Veterinary Faculty of Syiah Kuala University for examination.The incidence of nematode parasite in the samples was identified by centrifugation method.Parameter observed were prevalence of gastrointestinal nematode in the highland regions according to age and sex (Arundel and Rickard, 1990).Data obtained was analyzed using Chi-Square.

Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Nematode Parasite according to Age
Results microscopic examinations of fecal samples according to age groups are presented in Table 1.Note: different superscript letters show the data are significant different (p<0.05).

Discussion
As described by Pam et. al. (2013) the differences in parasite prevalence between young and adult cattle could be related to limitation of grazing system where young animals tend to have less contact with infectious agents.Lower prevalence observed in this study might be related to natural condition.Young animals, however, could be infected by high numbers of parasites because they were exposed to the infection for a long period of time after birth.Immunity in the young animals is not well developed to resist heavily parasitic infection.The infection can be transmitted by oral-fecal route and parasites could easily reach young animal milk from contaminated mothers.Levine (1990) as cited by Koesdarto and Setiawan (2007) also describes that species, immunity and age, Young age animals are more susceptible to infestation of gastrointestinal nematode parasites.Age influences concentration of natural (passive) and active immunity in animal body.Additionally, Kadarsih and Siwitri (2004) e xplain that infestation process of gastrointestinal nematode parasites is strongly influenced by age.Levine (1994) also explains that calf is more susceptible to parasite infection than adult cattle.
In addition, Tizard (1982) suggested that calf is more susceptible to worm infection that adult cattle because they have lower goblet cells in the intestine to slow down the growth of infective nematode larvae.This nematode is also present in the colostrums of newly born calf so that young animals might easily get infected.The parasites are able to penetrate placental barrier and then infect fetus before delivered Moreover in the study of Urquhart et. al. (2003) it is explained that old cattle are more resistant to parasite infestation due to parasite stimulated immunity developed might stimulate the formation of immune response that block the growth of larvae in the tissue, leading to lower morbidity and parasite infestation.Physiological status of definitive host significantly affects worm population in the body.Cattle susceptibility to worm infection increases if they are feed with ration lacks of vitamin A, B and B12, minerals and protein.
In accordance to Setiawan (2008), infection of nematode parasites in calf might be caused by surrounding environment such as parents and owners.Here egg worms excreted in the feces of infected animals contaminated pastures and grass, drinking water and dirty cages floor and calf consume feed dropped on the floor.Added by Djannatun (1987), young animals as long as still have immunity carried from the mothers were protected from infection.
According to Table 2 above in the highland region, the prevalence of gastrointestinal nematode in the male cattle (15.2%) was significantly lower than that in female cattle (23.9%).Results obtained were different from Djannatun(1987) and Suweta (1982) that male cattle have higher susceptibility to nematode infection than female cattle.Dobson (1966) also found that female cattle are more resistant to parasite infections due to higher estrogen level in their body has stimulatory property on reticuloendothelial system (RES) to synthesize antibody against parasite infection.The relatively lower worm infestation in the female cattle than that in male cattle might be related to better physical condition.Female cattle, especially those in pregnancy and breast feeding stages, are relatively rare to be employed in the faming.This will limit contamination from surround environment.
Additionally, Barger (1999) describes that the numbers of nematode worms per gram feces do not always influence infestation and contamination of sex, but female cattle have higher egg numbers per gram feces than male cattle.

Conclusion
In conclusion, susceptibility of cattle in the Pintu Rime Gayo Subdistrict to gastrointestinal nematode infection was influenced by both age and sex.

Recommendation
It is expected that Animal Husbandry Agencies and related stakeholders in Bener Meriah dan Bireuen Regencies could perform more efforts toward the improvement of management and parasite control of traditional animal farms in their regions.

Table 1
Based on age, cattle in Pintu Rime Gayo Subdistrict that tend to have high gastrointestinal nematode infestation are those young cattle aged 0-6 months.