An Ecological Alternative for the Control of Gastrointestinal Nematodes in Sheep in Northern Veracruz （Mexico）

The objective was to evaluate the effect of aqueous infusion of cracked soursop seeds on two different concentrations as an organic dewormer compared to a commercial one in GNE （gastrointestinal nematodes） egg population in crossbred hair sheep （Blackbelly-Khatadin） of the northen region of Veracruz. The aqueous infusion was prepared adding 93.5 g of cracked soursop seeds in 1,875 mL of boiled water and let stand for 12 h. Crossbred ewes were randomly assigned to receive every 19 days： （1） 10 mL of cracked soursop infusion orally （n = 27）, （2） 15 mL of cracked soursop infusion orally （n = 27）, and （3） 2 mL of Febendazole subcutaneously （n = 26）. Feces （2-5 g） were collected directly from the rectum of each animal on the following days： 0, 19, 38 and 57 days post treatment. Nematode egg population was determined using the technique of McMaster. Statistical analysis was done using ANOVA （analysis of variance）. There was a reduction overtime （P = 0.05） in all treatments in parasite egg population. There were no differences （P = 0.10） in egg population across treatments. In conclusion, aqueous infusion of soursop cracked seeds proved to be an environmentally friendly and effective alternative in the control of gastrointestinal parasites in crossbred hair sheep in the region of northern Veracruz.