AP25796807 «Helminthosis of saigas and the development of veterinary and preventive measures in captivity»

Helminthic diseases have a high prevalence in domestic and wild mammalian animals. Among helminthic diseases like coenurosis, moniesiosis, echinococcosis, moniesiasis, digestive tract strongylatoses, etc. cause significant damage. Pathogenic viruses, bacteria, fungi, parasitic protozoa, helminths, insects, and mites represent biological factors.

Pathogenic agents, having penetrated the body of animals, damage its cells and organs, become open gates for pathogens of various diseases.

The study of helminthic diseases as a factor affecting the state of wild animal populations is one of the aspects of ecological research.

The extent to which helminths spread in animals, including saigas, depends on climatic and pasture conditions and environmental factors that promote the development and persistence of invasive elements in the external environment. Keeping saigas in captivity (nurseries) undoubtedly influences the formation and distribution of the saiga helminth fauna, as well as their circulation in the biogeocenosis of the area.

Recently, saiga numbers have increased 60-fold in Kazakhstan, with more than 2.6 million saigas living there, thanks to conservation agencies.

As a result, competition between saigas and agricultural animals for pastures and watering places has intensified, and saigas are increasingly responsible for crop wasting. Due to the increased density of saigas, there is a risk of an outbreak of various diseases that could lead to mass mortality. Parasitic infestations are no exception, so research in this area is relevant.

During migration, saigas graze on the same pastures as farm livestock. However, saigas are constantly changing pasture areas. There is 60-100% commonality between saiga and domestic ruminant parasites, but some parasites are specific only to saigas, e.g. A.centripunctata, S.ovis and N.gazellae.

Therefore, saigas play a unique role in the spread and infection of helminthic diseases in farm animals.

To diagnose and determine the cause of animal mortality, post-mortem examination of the animal and subsequent study of pathological and morphological changes in the internal organs and tissues of the dead animal is of paramount importance. The study of haematological and biochemical parameters in the organism of helminth-infested saigas is essential and new to science, as these parameters allow an assessment of the animal's body condition and can be used to develop preventive measures for animal helminthosis.

The project aims to study the helminth fauna of saigas and to develop veterinary preventive measures for saiga helminthosis in captivity.

1. Some clinical and pathomorphological features of helminthiasis of saiga antelopes of the Uralsk population will be studied

2. The biochemical and hematological parameters of the blood of saigas kept in captivity will be studied

3. The types of helminths common to small cattle and saiga will be determined

4. The helminthofauna of saiga in captivity will be studied

5. The effectiveness of the use of drugs for helminthiasis of saigas will be studied

6. Veterinary and preventive measures will be developed for helminthiasis of saigas.