Bioavailability of cobalt and anthelmintic effects of Albendazole fortified with cobalt (vermitan super) in sheep

Abstract

The present study was carried out to compare the use of liver and plasma analysis as methods of assessing the status of cobalt, zinc and selenium in sheep, and to assess the anthelmintic efficacy of fortified and non-fortified albendazole preparations. Plasma and liver samples were collected in duplicate from fourteen sheep aged nine to twelve months. Plasma samples were collected on days 0, 7, 14, 21 and 28 and liver samples on days 0, 14 and 28 post treatment, upon sacrifice of the study animals. Various trace elements were isolated from the organic matrix by wet oxidation for mineral estimation using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Data was statistically analyzed using repeated measurement test. Significance was noted at p < 0.05. Both the fortified albendazole and non-fortified albendazole cleared all the worms in the treated sheep by day 14 day post treatment. All the trace elements were shown to be more bioavailable in the liver and plasma of fortified albendazole (Group B) treated sheep compared to the non-fortified albendazole (Group A) treated sheep. The study has shown that the liver is a better indicator of cobalt, zinc and selenium status in sheep compared to plasma.