Bioavailability of cobalt and antihelmintic effects of Albendazole fortified with cobalt (Vermitan super) in sheep J.M.Nguta a ; J.M.Mbaria a Department of Public Health, Pharmacology and Toxicology Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences, University of Nairobi 7TH Biennial Scientific Conference Saturday, October 31, 2015

 PERFORMANCE COULD BE BELOW EXPECTATION  TO DETERMINE THE PRESENCE OR PREVALENCE OF NUTRIENT DEFICIENCIES AND OR TOXICITIES IN A POPULATION  EVALUATION OF TRACE ELEMENT BIOAVAILABILITY FOLLOWING ORAL SUPPLEMENTATION  FOR COMPARISON OF AVAILABLE SUPPLEMENTS Introduction: Why assess trace element status in Ruminants? Saturday, October 31, 2015

Introd.(Cont.)  Physiological functions are progressively affected by trace element deficiences/toxicities  Performance and animal health can be affected by trace element deficiences even before clinical signs are evident  Cobalt requirements of grazing sheep is approx. 0.1mg/kg/day.  Trace elements must be provided by the oral route to overcome deficiencies (Underwood, 1962; Marston, 1952). Saturday, October 31, 2015

Introd.(Cont.)  The current study was designed to answer the following questions:  1. How much of cobalt is available following adm. Of albendazole fortified with a known amount of cobalt?  2.How efficacious is albendazole fortified with cobalt?  3. Is the fortified formulation better than the non fortified formulation? Saturday, October 31, 2015

Methodology  16 twelve month old dopper cross castrate sheep(20-25kgs) obtained from Kiserian market were used.  Following acclimatization, they were divided into groups A(n=8; given normal albendazole)  And Group B (n=8; given fortified albendazole)  Blood samples for plasma preparation and liver samples were collected from both groups on days 0, 14 and 18 following sacrifice.  Cobalt levels were analysed using standard procedures Saturday, October 31, 2015

Methodology(Cont.)  Feacal samples were collected on days 0 and 14 and egg counts estimated using Mcmaster technique. Saturday, October 31, 2015

Statistical analysis  Repeated measurement test as per Gill John(1978)was used  Significance was noted at p<0.05. Saturday, October 31, 2015

Results  High levels of strongyle eggs were observed from both groups on day 0.  No strongyle eggs were observed from both groups on day 14 post treatment. Saturday, October 31, 2015

Results Table 1: Mean cobalt levels in plasma of sheep following oral administration of vermitan (Group A) and vermitan super (Group B) Day of study Group A 0.11± ± ± ± ±0.07 Group B0.05± ± ± ± ±0.01 Saturday, October 31, 2015

Results Table 2: Mean cobalt levels in liver of sheep following oral administration of vermitan (Group A) and vermitan super (Group B) Day of study Group A 2.7±0.92.9±0.63.9±0.14 Group B2.9± ±0.55.3±1.3 Saturday, October 31, 2015

Conclusion  Significant bioavailability of cobalt was observed in sheep dewormed with vermitan super as compared to those dewormed with normal vermitan both in the plasma and in the liver.  This study recommends fortification of albendazole with cobalt and the use of the formulation in those areas where cobalt is deficient.  Inclusion of cobalt did not interfere with the efficacy of albendazole Saturday, October 31, 2015