Is there any data available indicating tick infestation and reduced reproduction in domestic animals or in any animal species?
The infestation of poultry with Argas persicus follows with reduction of egg production (Adene & Dipeolu, 1975, Bull. Animal Health Production in Africa, 23: 333-335). I don't know studies concerning reduction in animal reproduction after tick infestation, such studies mainly deal with loss of blood, emaciation and mortality. Try and see an interesting paper by Patterson et al., 2013, PLoS ONE, 8(2).
Best regards.
Thanks, Igor,
for bringing Patterson reference into my attention. Principle is same, removing ectoparasite improves reproductive performance (here in red squirrel). I asked this question since long time ago, I discovered by mistake that ticks-treated female rabbits produce low quality early embryos and exhibit low reproduction (pl see the figure attached, paper in my profile). This information should be of enormous importance to agriculture research field. But I did not see any further feedback.
Thanks, Subhash
well, we can suspect that ectoparasite infestation could interfere with the energetic metabolism, besides it can also involve the transmission of other microorganisms or parasites into the hosted organism. For the former, it would be interesting to study the changes in metabolites and metabolic hormones, as it could allow to propose a threshold for the infestation impact.
That is correct, Rita. Thanks, Here experimental ticks were free from any virus or bacteria. Since I am not a tick person but I found this observation by chance. I am away from agriculture or reproduction field now.
Whatever the reason of affecting ticks infestation on mammalian reproduction, there is a serious adverse effect. This my observation, tick researchers and agriculture or animal husbandry researchers should utilize and take it seriously that the effect is at early embryos so that vaccination kind of treatment can be further seemed.
Yes there is documentation, This reference might also be of help Population trends in Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla colonies in relation to tick infestation THIERRY BOULINIER* and ETIENNE DANCHIN Ibis Volume 138, Issue 2, pages 326–334, April 1996
Yes, Aneeke,
It is interesting paper. Relates to my study upto some extent.
Subhash
Several field studies have documented liveweight gain losses and reduced milk production in cattle due to tick infestations. These effects are thought to be either due to disturbed grazing or some other specific effects. Here are a few examples of these studies.
De Castro (1985) reported that dipped Boran cattle had significant differences in their weight gains over undipped cattle equivalent to 0.55 kg per animal per week (de Castro JJ, Young AS, Dransfield RD, Cunningham MP and Dolan TT. 1985. Effects of tick infestation on Boran (Bos indicus) cattle immunised against theileriosis in an endemic area of Kenya. Re. Vet. Sci. 39, 279-288). Norval et al (1989) showed that A.hebraeum and R.appendiculatus caused a reduction of 10g and 4 g respectively for every engorging female tick. Losses in milk production caused by both species amounted to approximately 7 g for every female that became engorged (Norval, RAI, Sutherst RW, Jorgensen OD, Gibson JD and Kerr JD (1989). The effect of the bont tick Amblyomma hebraeum on the weight gain of Africander steers. Veterinary parasitology, 33: 329-341; Norval RAI, Sutherst RW, Kurki J, Gibson JD and Kerr JD. (1989). The effect of the brown ear tick Rhipicephalus appendiculatus on the growth of Sanga and European breed of cattle. Veterinary parasitology, 30:149-164). Pegram et al. (1991) estimated the damage coefficient for every engorging female A.variegatum to be 45-60 g (Pegram, R.G., James, A.D., Oosterwijk, G.P.M. and Chizyuka, H.G.B. (1991). The economic impact of cattle tick control in Central Africa. Insect science and its applications, 12 (1/2/3): 139-146). Tatchell (1988) reported that treated Kenana breed (Bos indicus) of cattle infested with A. lepidum gained 109 g per day compared to 98 g gained by untreated animals (Tatchell RJ. (1988). A study of the effect of tick infestation on LWG of cattle in the Sudan. Tropical pest management, 34 (2): 165 167).
Dear Henry,
Thanks for bringing a good amount of literature. All the references lead to similar conclusion directly or indirectly- how ticks are affecting livestock or animal production, growth and reproduction. Amazing way on RG site we can communicate with amazing researchers on different parts of the globe.
Best regards,
Subhash
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