Comparison of the Anthelmintic Efficacy of Three Commercial Products against Ascarids and Capillaria SPP. in Fighting Cocks

doi:10.4236/pp.2011.23020

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Pharmacology & Pharmacy, 2011, 2, 146-150

doi:10.4236/pp.2011.23020 Published Online July 2011 (http://www.scirp.org/journal/pp)

Comparison of the Anthelmintic Efficacy of Three

Commercial Products against Ascarids and

Capillaria SPP. in Fighting Cocks

Froylán Ibarra-Velarde, Cristina Guerrero-Molina, Yolanda Vera-Montenegro, Yazmín Alcalá-Canto,

Evangelina Romero-Callejas

Departamento de Parasitología, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia de la, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico,

Coyoacán, México City, Mexico.

Email: [email protected]

Received February 9th, 2011; March 20th, 2011; April 20th, 2011.

ABSTRACT

The aim of the present study was to evalua te the anthelmintic efficacy of three commercial comp ounds against asca rids

and Capillaria spp. in naturally infected fighting cocks from Mexico. First experiment—Forty cocks were selected on

the basis of eggs per gram (EPG) counts quantified by the McMaster method. On day 0 the birds were divided into four

groups of 10 cocks, each subjected to th e treatments. Group 1 received a single oral dose of 1 mg of ivermectin, 25 mg

of praziquantel and 40 mg of fenbendazole given in tablets according to body weight (b.w). Group 2 was treated with a

single oral dose of 1 mg of ivermectin, 25 mg of praziquantel and 40 mg of fenbendazole given in tablets/b.w. but

formulated with a different excipient. Group 3 received a single tablet containing 0.2 mg of abamectin and 30 mg of

albendazole. Group 4 served as a non-treated control. Fecal analyses were carried out on days 0 (day of trea tment), 7,

14, 21 and 28, being collected from the floor where the cocks were individually caged. Efficacy was measured on the

percentage of egg reduction from day 0 with respect the EPG counts from the control group. In a second experiment the

study was similarly performed using another cock-farm located at approximately 300 km away from the first one.

Results indicated an overall effica cy of 100%, 94.0% and 100% for groups 1, 2 and 3 in the first experiment and 100%,

100%, 100% for groups 1, 2 and 3 of the 2nd experiment, respectively. It is concluded that all drugs used exerted high

efficacy in fighting co cks naturally infected with helminths.

Keywords: Anthelmintic Efficacy, Commercial Drugs, Fighting Cocks

1. Introduction

In Mexico the cockfight is a popular activity frequently

carried out in places for combat called “palenques”. The

fights generally take place on holidays, national festivities

or week-ends throughout the country. Important to note

is the fact that the cockfight is also a growing industry

which provides employment and involves thousands of

people engaged in the gambling on the outcome of of

this festive activity.

However, one of the important factors which hampers

the aggressive performance of fighting cocks at the time

of combat is the decrease of energy commonly caused by

different parasitic infections. On the other hand, there is

very limited information on the use of drugs that can

remove helminths from the cocks. The present study was

aimed at the evaluation of the antelmintic efficacy of

three commercial compounds against Ascarids and Capi-

llaria spp. in fighting cocks from two different farms.

2. Material and Methods

2.1. First Experiment

2.1.1. Location of the Study

This study was carried out at the farm “El Colorado”,

located in the municipality of Tulancingo, in the state of

Hidalgo, Mexico, (central part of Mexico).

2.1.2. Study Ani m al s

Forty adult and young fighting cocks with no deworming

background of at least 6 months were selected for inclu-

sion in the trial. They were chosen on the basis of egg

counts per gram (EPG) by using the quantitative Mc-

Master method. All animals were individually caged,

Comparison of the Anthelmintic Efficacy of Three Commercial Products against

Ascarids and Capillaria SPP. in FightingCocks 147

being feed on peleted food, water being supplied ad

libitum

2.1.3. Drugs f or E v al u ation

1)Vermicell-Gallos (Laboratorios ANDOCI, S.A de

C.V.®), formulated in tablets containing 1 mg de iver-

mectin, 25 mg of praziquantel and 40 mg of fenbenda-

zole.

2)Endovet-Gallos. (Revetmex®), formulated in tab-

lets containing 1 mg de ivermectin, 25 mg of praziquan-

tel and 40 mg of fenbendazole, being formulated with an

excipient different from the previous one.

3)Trifen-Plus (Laboratorios Aranda®), formulated in

tablets each containing 0.2 mg of abamectin and 30 mg

of Albendazole.

2.1.4. Animal Identification

All groups of animals were identified with plastic

numbered and colored rings. Each cock was always kept

in an individual cage.

2.1.5. Cond uction of the Stu dy

The forty selected cocks were divided into 4 groups of

10 animals each for treatment.

Group 1 received Vermicell-Gallos at a single oral

dose of 1 tablet/ 2.5 kg/b .w.

Group 2 was treated with Endovet-Gallos at a single

oral dose of 1 tablet/2.5 kg/b.w.

Group 3 received Trifen-Plus at a single oral dose of 1

tablet/1 kg/b.w.

Group 4 served as a non-treated control.

2.1.6. Fecal A na l yses

Fecal individual fresh samples of feces were taken from

the study animals on days 0 (day of treatment), 7, 14, 21

and 28 being transported to our laboratory for inmme-

diate analysis.

2.2. Efficacy

Efficacy was measured on the percentage of egg reduc-

tion of the treated animals relative to the non-treated

control group following the formula of [1].

No. de EPG in the non-treated group No. de EPG in the treated group

Effcacy= 100

No. de EPG in the non-treated group



2.2.1. Statistical Analyses

With the aim of determining posible differences among

groups on each date of sampling, the obtained data was

subjected to the Kruskall-Wallis test. In addition, in

order to compare the quantity of EPG in each group from

the initial to the last samplings, the Wilcoxon rank test

was employed.

2.2.2. Second Experiment

In a second experiment, the study was similarly per-

formed using the same drugs and treatments with the

difference that the study was undertaken in another

cock-farm called “La Quinta Portuguesa”, located at ap-

proximately 300 km from first one.

40 fighting cocks positive to ascarids were selected

from 125 animals available were divided into 4 groups of

10 animals each ready for treatment as in Experiment

one. The same measurements of anthelmintic efficacy

were similarly undertaken so as to be compared with

those of the first experiment.

3. Results

General results can be seen in Tables 1 to 4.

3.1. First Experiment

Group 1 showed a gradual reduction of EPG after treat-

ment, the efficacy exerted being of 97.0%, 91.0%, 100%

and 100%, for days 7, 14, 21 and 28, after treatment,

respectively (Table 1).

Group 2 showed percentages of egg reduction of

97.0%, 71.0%, 97 .0% and 9 4.0% for d ays 7, 14, 21 y 28,

respectively (Table 1).

Group 3 showed an efficacy of 100% for days 7, 14,

21 and 28 after treatment, respectively (Table 1).

Group 4 constantly mantained egg shedding during the

experiment. The maximum mean number of EPG was

2350 (



235) and the minimum 950 (95). (Table 2).

3.2. Statistical Analyses

3.2.1. Comparison Among Treatments in Each One of

the Days of Fecal Sampling

On day 0, no statistical differences were found among

Table 1. Percentage of helminths-EPG reduction postreat-

ment with three commercial anthelmintics in fighting cocks

from Tulancingo, Mexico.

Groups DoseTxDays after

treatment

(n = 10

cocks/group) 1 tablet0 7 14 21 28

Group 1* 2.5

kg/b.w - 97 91 100100

Group 2** 2.5

kg/b.w - 97 71 97 94

Group 3*** 1 kg/b.w- 100 100 100100

Group 4

(Control) 0 - - - - -

Tx = Treatment; b.w. = bod y weight; *1 mg ivermectin, 25 mg praziquantel,

40 mg fenbendazole; **1 mg ivermectin, 25 mg praziquantel, 40 mg fenben-

dazole (formulated with different excipient); ***0.2 mg avamectin, 30 mg

albendazole.

Comparison of the Anthelmintic Efficacy of Three Commercial Products

against Ascarids and Capillaria SPP. in Fighting Cocks

148

Table 2. Statistical analysis of the comparison on the efficacy of three commercial compounds against helminths of fighting

cocks from Tulancingo, Mexico.

Groups Day 0 Day 7 Day 14 Day 21 Day 28

Average number of eggs ± Standard Deviation

Group 1 195a,1 ± 28.3 5a,1 ± 5.0 15a,1 ± 15.1 0a,2 0

a,2

Group 2 160a,1 ± 23.3 5a,1 ± 5.0 50a,1 ± 36.5 5a,2 ± 5.0 10a,2 ± 6.7

Group 3 160a,1 ± 23.3 0a,1 0

a,2 0

a,1

Group 4 (Control) 175a,1 ± 22.7 235b,2 ± 33.4 210b,1 ± 23.3 125b,1 ± 20.1 95b,2 ± 17.4

Mean in the same column with the same lette r are statistically equal; Mean in the same row with equal number are equal to the average on day 0.

the EPG of the experimental groups (p < 0.717) (Table

2).

On day 7, statistical differences were found on the

quantity of EPG of group 4 (non-treated control) with

each one of the treated groups (p < 0.0001).

Results with the same tendency were found on days 14,

21, and 28, re spectively.

3.2.2. Comparison of Fecal Samplings between

Treatments

Treament 1. Comparisons of each one of the average fe-

cal samples from day 0 with the different days of sam-

plings (7, 14, 21, and 28) showed a statistical difference

using the Wilcoxo n test of si g ned ran ks (p < 0.00 8 5) .

With regard to treatments 2 and 3, the results obtained

were similar to those found in group 1.

On the other hand, Group 4 showed no statistical dif-

ferences on the average EPG obtained on day 0 when

compared with the average EPG from days 7, 14 and 21.

However, statistical difference were determined when

fecal sampling of day 28 was analyzed (p < 0.014).

(Table 2).

In addition, during the study of the group of Vermi-

cell-Gallos, two cocks were positive to Derman ysuss spp.

and another one was parasitized with some lice. After

treatment these animals were observed to be negative.

However, since the size sample of these artropods was

Table 3. Percentage of helminths-EPG reduction postreat-

ment with three commercial anthelmintics in fighting cocks

from La Portuguesa, Texcoco, Mexico.

Groups Dose Tx

Days after

treatment

(n = 10

cocks/group) 1 tablet0 7 142128

Group 1* 2.5 kg/b.w- 100 100100100

Group 2** 2.5 kg/b.w- 100 100100100

Group 3*** 1 kg/b.w - 100 100100100

Group 4 (Control)0 - - ---

Tx = Treatment; b.w. = body weight; *1 mg ivermectin, 25 mg praziquantel,

40 mg fenbendazole; **1 mg ivermectin, 25 mg praziquantel, 40 mg fenben-

dazole (formulated with different excipient); ***0.2 mg avamectin, 30 mg

albendazole.

very small, these results should be recorded as additional

data that need to be furt her confirmed.

3.2.3. Second Experiment

All treated groups from “La Quinta Portuguesa” showed

an EPG reduction of 100%, demonstrating an oustanding

efficacy (Table 3).

According to the Kruskal-Wallis test, on day 0 no

tatistical difference on EPG was found between treated s

Comparison of the Anthelmintic Efficacy of Three Commercial Products against

Ascarids and Capillaria SPP. in FightingCocks 149

Table 4. Statistical analysis of the comparison on the efficacy of three commercial compounds against helminths of fighting

cocks from La Portuguesa, Texcoco, Mexico.

Groups Day 0 Day 7 Day 14 Day 21 Day 28

Average number of eggs ± Standard Deviation (Percentage of Efficacy)

Group 1 290a,1 ± 53.1 0a,1 0

a,1 0

a,1

Group 2 275a,1 ± 58.1 0a,2 0

a,2 0

a,2

Group 3 265a,1 ± 47.8 0a,2 0

a,2 0

a,2

Group 4 (Control) 295a,1 ± 41.1 305b,1 ± 41.8 310b,1 ± 47.0 322b,1 ± 55.4 250b,1 ± 65.1

Mean in the same column with the same letter are statistically equal; Me an in the same row with equal n umber are equal to the average on day 0.

groups and the control group (p < 0.898). (Table 4)

On day 7 statistical differences between the quantity

of EPG were observed in grou p 4 with regard to all other

groups (p < 0.00 01).

Results with a similar tendency were found on days 14,

21, and 28 after treatment, respectively.

3.2.4. Comparison of fecal Samplings between

Treatments

Comparison of day 0 with each one of the average days

of sampling (7, 14, 21, and 28) showed significant dif-

ferences, using the Wilcoxon rank test (p < 0.005).

Results were similar when treatments of groups 1, 2

and 3 were compared.

In group 4, no significant difference was observed in

the mean EPG from day 0, as compared with the average

EPG from days 7, 14, 21 and 28 (Table 4)

4. Discussion

Information regarding the use of anthelmintics in game

birds is very scant y .

Ref. [2] demonstrated that the administration of fen-

bendazole reduced natural nematode infection in phea-

sants and partridges.

In the present experiment, the data obained from both

farms showed that a combined dose of ivermectin/

praziquantel/fenbendazole given at the producer recom-

mended dose was highly effective in decreasing the

percentage reduction of EPG and therefore the reduction

of gastrointestinal nematode infections in common fowl

(Gallus gallus) raised as fighting cocks.

It was also demonstrated that even when Vermicell-

Gallos or Endovet-Gallos were formulated with a differ-

ent excipient, they showed no statistical difference in

efficacy. Nevertheless, it is important to point out that

they have shown better efficacy than ivermectin adminis-

tered alone [3-5] praziquantel [6,7] for fenbendazole

used as a single treatment [8-12].

On the other hand, the efficacy of the combined

treatment of 0.2 mg of abamectin plus 30 mg/kg of

albendazole were enough to remove all ascarids and

some Capillaria, since no helminth eggs were found a

few days after treatment. Perhaps a slight advantage of

Trifen-plus is that only two drugs are needed to obtain

similar efficacy and therefore cost decrease on treatments

may be better when these drugs are used. However, a

drawback for this compound is that if the cocks of either

farm under study have a cestode infection, the use of the

ivermectin/praziquantel/fenbendazole combination may

be advisable instead since praziquantel is the drug of

choice to remove this type of helminths.

It is important to mention that the efficacy of albenda-

zole on its own against bird parasites has already been

described by [13]. Nevertheless, as far as we know, no

previous reports regarding the anthelmintic efficacy of an

abamectin/albendazole combination are available. The

slight difference in the percent reduction of egg output

observed between the combination regimens using dis-

tinct excipients is an important to pic for future investiga-

tions. They might correlate bioavailability and anthel-

mintic efficacy by the analysis of ingredient concentra-

tions and their main metabolites by high performance

liquid chromatography.

With regard to th e relation of co st-ben efit, although all

treatments for fighting cocks are not expensive, but it is

important to know the time of the year when helminth

infections are spread in higher proportion in the birds so

that a suitable treatment schedule may be established.

On the other hand, the effect of albendazole on enzy-

Comparison of the Anthelmintic Efficacy of Three Commercial Products

against Ascarids and Capillaria SPP. in Fighting Cocks

150

mes from common species of poultry-infecting nema-

todes has been demonstrated [13]; however, as far as we

know, combination regimes employing an ivermectin/

praziquantel/fenbendazole formulation with these anthel-

mintics in fighting cocks have not as yet been reported.

These results have demonstrated that combined dosing

of some commercial anthelmintics provides highly pro-

mising efficacy against gastrointestinal nematodes on

fighting cooks maintaining good health status, which is

highly required for better performance in the fighting

arena.

5. Conclusions

The combined administration of either ivermectin/prazi-

quantel/fenbendazole or abamectin/albendazole adminis-

tered in tablets at the producer’s recommended dose ex-

erted high efficacy against Ascarids and Capillaria spp.

in naturally infected fighting cocks

6. Acknowledgements

Study financially supported by Laboratorios ANDOCI,

S.A. de C.V.

7. References

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