Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Department of Veterinary Medicine, Baft Islamic Azad University, Baft, Iran.
2
Assistant professor of the Parasitology section. Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ardakan University, Ardakan, Iran.
3
Department of Veterinary Medicine, Islamic Azad University, B.C., Baft, Iran
4
Department of Veterinary Medicine, Islamic Azad University, Baft Branch, Baft, Iran
5
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Islamic Azad University, Baft Branch, Baft, Iran
6
Department of Agricultural Economics, Faculty of Agriculture & Natural Resources,Ardakan University, Ardakan, Iran
10.22075/jvlr.2025.38053.1174
Abstract
Liver parasites are major causes of economic losses in the livestock industry, affecting animal health and productivity. This research investigates liver parasite contamination and assesses the resulting economic losses in slaughtered livestock in Bukan County. In this study, 800 sheep carcasses and 700 cattle carcasses were examined for parasitic contamination during the winter and spring seasons. Data were analyzed using SPSS software and the chi-square test. The results showed that out of 800 sheep, 2.37% were infected with Dicrocoelium, 6.37% with hydatid cysts, and 0.5% with Fasciola. Additionally, Dicrocoelium contamination in sheep was significantly higher in the spring compared to winter (P=0.009), and the contamination of livers from older and female animals in winter slaughtering was significantly different compared to spring slaughtering (P=0.037 and P=0.014). In cattle, out of 700 animals, 0.14% were infected with Dicrocoelium, 4% with hydatid cysts, and 1.28% with Fasciola. Furthermore, a significant relationship was observed between seasonal contamination with non-parasitic factors (P=0.045) and the contamination of livers from female animals in winter slaughtering compared to male animals (P≤0.001). Significant economic losses result from these contaminations, which can be mitigated by proper antiparasitic treatment, and by spending 3.75% of the liver sales on such treatment, 96.25% of financial resources can be saved.
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