Faecal egg counts and serum prolactin concentrations in 13 pregnant and five non-pregnant Angora goats were monitored over a period of 20 weeks. The mean weekly egg counts of pregnant goats were significantly higher (P less than 0.01) than those of non-pregnant goats. In pregnant goats the mean egg counts in the 6 week post-partum period were significantly higher (P less than 0.01) than those of 6 weeks prepartum. The mean prolactin concentration of pregnant goats during the 6 week post-partum period was significantly higher (P less than 0.01) than that of 6 weeks pre-partum. During the 6 to 3 weeks before parturition, the prolactin values generally remained low (below 100 ng ml-1). The rise in prolactin concentration started between 3 weeks and 1 week before parturition. Only in pregnant goats was there a positive linear regression between prolactin levels and faecal egg counts.
Faecal egg counts were used to study patterns of trichostrongyle infections in sheep and goats according to season, age, pregnancy and lactation on traditional farms in west Malaysia. Haemonchus contortus and Trichostrongylus spp. were the most important strongyles in sheep and in goats, H. contortus, Trichostrongylus spp. and Oesophagostomum spp. were most prevalent. The faecal egg counts of sheep and goats were apparently not influenced by the small seasonal climatic variations. Strongyle infections were acquired at an earlier age in sheep than in goats. Mean faecal egg counts decreased from the age of 8 months onwards in sheep while in goats this occurred from 12-18 months onwards. A periparturient rise in strongyle egg counts was observed in both animal species. Haemonchus contortus was mainly responsible for this rise in faecal egg counts. The results are discussed with reference to control of gastrointestinal strongyle infections in sheep and goats.