Pharmacology & Pharmacy, 2011, 2, 146-150
doi:10.4236/pp.2011.23020 Published Online July 2011 (http://www.scirp.org/journal/pp)
Copyright © 2011 SciRes. PP
Comparison of the Anthelmintic Efficacy of Three
Commercial Products against Ascarids and
Capillaria SPP. in Fighting Cocks
Froylán Ibarra-Velarde, Cristina Guerrero-Molina, Yolanda Vera-Montenegro, Yazmín Alcalá-Canto,
Evangelina Romero-Callejas
Departamento de Parasitología, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia de la, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico,
Coyoacán, México City, Mexico.
Email: Ibarraf@servidor.unam.mx
Received February 9th, 2011; March 20th, 2011; April 20th, 2011.
ABSTRACT
The aim of the present study was to evalua te the anthelmintic efficacy of three commercial comp ounds against asca rids
and Capillaria spp. in naturally infected fighting cocks from Mexico. First experiment—Forty cocks were selected on
the basis of eggs per gram (EPG) counts quantified by the McMaster method. On day 0 the birds were divided into four
groups of 10 cocks, each subjected to th e treatments. Group 1 received a single oral dose of 1 mg of ivermectin, 25 mg
of praziquantel and 40 mg of fenbendazole given in tablets according to body weight (b.w). Group 2 was treated with a
single oral dose of 1 mg of ivermectin, 25 mg of praziquantel and 40 mg of fenbendazole given in tablets/b.w. but
formulated with a different excipient. Group 3 received a single tablet containing 0.2 mg of abamectin and 30 mg of
albendazole. Group 4 served as a non-treated control. Fecal analyses were carried out on days 0 (day of trea tment), 7,
14, 21 and 28, being collected from the floor where the cocks were individually caged. Efficacy was measured on the
percentage of egg reduction from day 0 with respect the EPG counts from the control group. In a second experiment the
study was similarly performed using another cock-farm located at approximately 300 km away from the first one.
Results indicated an overall effica cy of 100%, 94.0% and 100% for groups 1, 2 and 3 in the first experiment and 100%,
100%, 100% for groups 1, 2 and 3 of the 2nd experiment, respectively. It is concluded that all drugs used exerted high
efficacy in fighting co cks naturally infected with helminths.
Keywords: Anthelmintic Efficacy, Commercial Drugs, Fighting Cocks
1. Introduction
In Mexico the cockfight is a popular activity frequently
carried out in places for combat called “palenques”. The
fights generally take place on holidays, national festivities
or week-ends throughout the country. Important to note
is the fact that the cockfight is also a growing industry
which provides employment and involves thousands of
people engaged in the gambling on the outcome of of
this festive activity.
However, one of the important factors which hampers
the aggressive performance of fighting cocks at the time
of combat is the decrease of energy commonly caused by
different parasitic infections. On the other hand, there is
very limited information on the use of drugs that can
remove helminths from the cocks. The present study was
aimed at the evaluation of the antelmintic efficacy of
three commercial compounds against Ascarids and Capi-
llaria spp. in fighting cocks from two different farms.
2. Material and Methods
2.1. First Experiment
2.1.1. Location of the Study
This study was carried out at the farm “El Colorado”,
located in the municipality of Tulancingo, in the state of
Hidalgo, Mexico, (central part of Mexico).
2.1.2. Study Ani m al s
Forty adult and young fighting cocks with no deworming
background of at least 6 months were selected for inclu-
sion in the trial. They were chosen on the basis of egg
counts per gram (EPG) by using the quantitative Mc-
Master method. All animals were individually caged,
Comparison of the Anthelmintic Efficacy of Three Commercial Products against
Ascarids and Capillaria SPP. in FightingCocks 147
being feed on peleted food, water being supplied ad
libitum
2.1.3. Drugs f or E v al u ation
1)Vermicell-Gallos (Laboratorios ANDOCI, S.A de
C.V.®), formulated in tablets containing 1 mg de iver-
mectin, 25 mg of praziquantel and 40 mg of fenbenda-
zole.
2)Endovet-Gallos. (Revetmex®), formulated in tab-
lets containing 1 mg de ivermectin, 25 mg of praziquan-
tel and 40 mg of fenbendazole, being formulated with an
excipient different from the previous one.
3)Trifen-Plus (Laboratorios Aranda®), formulated in
tablets each containing 0.2 mg of abamectin and 30 mg
of Albendazole.
2.1.4. Animal Identification
All groups of animals were identified with plastic
numbered and colored rings. Each cock was always kept
in an individual cage.
2.1.5. Cond uction of the Stu dy
The forty selected cocks were divided into 4 groups of
10 animals each for treatment.
Group 1 received Vermicell-Gallos at a single oral
dose of 1 tablet/ 2.5 kg/b .w.
Group 2 was treated with Endovet-Gallos at a single
oral dose of 1 tablet/2.5 kg/b.w.
Group 3 received Trifen-Plus at a single oral dose of 1
tablet/1 kg/b.w.
Group 4 served as a non-treated control.
2.1.6. Fecal A na l yses
Fecal individual fresh samples of feces were taken from
the study animals on days 0 (day of treatment), 7, 14, 21
and 28 being transported to our laboratory for inmme-
diate analysis.
2.2. Efficacy
Efficacy was measured on the percentage of egg reduc-
tion of the treated animals relative to the non-treated
control group following the formula of [1].
No. de EPG in the non-treated group No. de EPG in the treated group
Effcacy= 100
No. de EPG in the non-treated group
2.2.1. Statistical Analyses
With the aim of determining posible differences among
groups on each date of sampling, the obtained data was
subjected to the Kruskall-Wallis test. In addition, in
order to compare the quantity of EPG in each group from
the initial to the last samplings, the Wilcoxon rank test
was employed.
2.2.2. Second Experiment
In a second experiment, the study was similarly per-
formed using the same drugs and treatments with the
difference that the study was undertaken in another
cock-farm called “La Quinta Portuguesa”, located at ap-
proximately 300 km from first one.
40 fighting cocks positive to ascarids were selected
from 125 animals available were divided into 4 groups of
10 animals each ready for treatment as in Experiment
one. The same measurements of anthelmintic efficacy
were similarly undertaken so as to be compared with
those of the first experiment.
3. Results
General results can be seen in Tables 1 to 4.
3.1. First Experiment
Group 1 showed a gradual reduction of EPG after treat-
ment, the efficacy exerted being of 97.0%, 91.0%, 100%
and 100%, for days 7, 14, 21 and 28, after treatment,
respectively (Table 1).
Group 2 showed percentages of egg reduction of
97.0%, 71.0%, 97 .0% and 9 4.0% for d ays 7, 14, 21 y 28,
respectively (Table 1).
Group 3 showed an efficacy of 100% for days 7, 14,
21 and 28 after treatment, respectively (Table 1).
Group 4 constantly mantained egg shedding during the
experiment. The maximum mean number of EPG was
2350 (
235) and the minimum 950 (95). (Table 2).
3.2. Statistical Analyses
3.2.1. Comparison Among Treatments in Each One of
the Days of Fecal Sampling
On day 0, no statistical differences were found among
Table 1. Percentage of helminths-EPG reduction postreat-
ment with three commercial anthelmintics in fighting cocks
from Tulancingo, Mexico.
Groups DoseTxDays after
treatment
(n = 10
cocks/group) 1 tablet0 7 14 21 28
Group 1* 2.5
kg/b.w - 97 91 100100
Group 2** 2.5
kg/b.w - 97 71 97 94
Group 3*** 1 kg/b.w- 100 100 100100
Group 4
(Control) 0 - - - - -
Tx = Treatment; b.w. = bod y weight; *1 mg ivermectin, 25 mg praziquantel,
40 mg fenbendazole; **1 mg ivermectin, 25 mg praziquantel, 40 mg fenben-
dazole (formulated with different excipient); ***0.2 mg avamectin, 30 mg
albendazole.
Copyright © 2011 SciRes. PP
Comparison of the Anthelmintic Efficacy of Three Commercial Products
against Ascarids and Capillaria SPP. in Fighting Cocks
148
Table 2. Statistical analysis of the comparison on the efficacy of three commercial compounds against helminths of fighting
cocks from Tulancingo, Mexico.
Groups Day 0 Day 7 Day 14 Day 21 Day 28
Average number of eggs ± Standard Deviation
Group 1 195a,1 ± 28.3 5a,1 ± 5.0 15a,1 ± 15.1 0a,2 0
a,2
Group 2 160a,1 ± 23.3 5a,1 ± 5.0 50a,1 ± 36.5 5a,2 ± 5.0 10a,2 ± 6.7
Group 3 160a,1 ± 23.3 0a,1 0
a,2 0
a,2 0
a,1
Group 4 (Control) 175a,1 ± 22.7 235b,2 ± 33.4 210b,1 ± 23.3 125b,1 ± 20.1 95b,2 ± 17.4
Mean in the same column with the same lette r are statistically equal; Mean in the same row with equal number are equal to the average on day 0.
the EPG of the experimental groups (p < 0.717) (Table
2).
On day 7, statistical differences were found on the
quantity of EPG of group 4 (non-treated control) with
each one of the treated groups (p < 0.0001).
Results with the same tendency were found on days 14,
21, and 28, re spectively.
3.2.2. Comparison of Fecal Samplings between
Treatments
Treament 1. Comparisons of each one of the average fe-
cal samples from day 0 with the different days of sam-
plings (7, 14, 21, and 28) showed a statistical difference
using the Wilcoxo n test of si g ned ran ks (p < 0.00 8 5) .
With regard to treatments 2 and 3, the results obtained
were similar to those found in group 1.
On the other hand, Group 4 showed no statistical dif-
ferences on the average EPG obtained on day 0 when
compared with the average EPG from days 7, 14 and 21.
However, statistical difference were determined when
fecal sampling of day 28 was analyzed (p < 0.014).
(Table 2).
In addition, during the study of the group of Vermi-
cell-Gallos, two cocks were positive to Derman ysuss spp.
and another one was parasitized with some lice. After
treatment these animals were observed to be negative.
However, since the size sample of these artropods was
Table 3. Percentage of helminths-EPG reduction postreat-
ment with three commercial anthelmintics in fighting cocks
from La Portuguesa, Texcoco, Mexico.
Groups Dose Tx
Days after
treatment
(n = 10
cocks/group) 1 tablet0 7 142128
Group 1* 2.5 kg/b.w- 100 100100100
Group 2** 2.5 kg/b.w- 100 100100100
Group 3*** 1 kg/b.w - 100 100100100
Group 4 (Control)0 - - ---
Tx = Treatment; b.w. = body weight; *1 mg ivermectin, 25 mg praziquantel,
40 mg fenbendazole; **1 mg ivermectin, 25 mg praziquantel, 40 mg fenben-
dazole (formulated with different excipient); ***0.2 mg avamectin, 30 mg
albendazole.
very small, these results should be recorded as additional
data that need to be furt her confirmed.
3.2.3. Second Experiment
All treated groups from “La Quinta Portuguesa” showed
an EPG reduction of 100%, demonstrating an oustanding
efficacy (Table 3).
According to the Kruskal-Wallis test, on day 0 no
tatistical difference on EPG was found between treated s
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Comparison of the Anthelmintic Efficacy of Three Commercial Products against
Ascarids and Capillaria SPP. in FightingCocks 149
Table 4. Statistical analysis of the comparison on the efficacy of three commercial compounds against helminths of fighting
cocks from La Portuguesa, Texcoco, Mexico.
Groups Day 0 Day 7 Day 14 Day 21 Day 28
Average number of eggs ± Standard Deviation (Percentage of Efficacy)
Group 1 290a,1 ± 53.1 0a,1 0
a,1 0
a,1 0
a,1
Group 2 275a,1 ± 58.1 0a,2 0
a,2 0
a,2 0
a,2
Group 3 265a,1 ± 47.8 0a,2 0
a,2 0
a,2 0
a,2
Group 4 (Control) 295a,1 ± 41.1 305b,1 ± 41.8 310b,1 ± 47.0 322b,1 ± 55.4 250b,1 ± 65.1
Mean in the same column with the same letter are statistically equal; Me an in the same row with equal n umber are equal to the average on day 0.
groups and the control group (p < 0.898). (Table 4)
On day 7 statistical differences between the quantity
of EPG were observed in grou p 4 with regard to all other
groups (p < 0.00 01).
Results with a similar tendency were found on days 14,
21, and 28 after treatment, respectively.
3.2.4. Comparison of fecal Samplings between
Treatments
Comparison of day 0 with each one of the average days
of sampling (7, 14, 21, and 28) showed significant dif-
ferences, using the Wilcoxon rank test (p < 0.005).
Results were similar when treatments of groups 1, 2
and 3 were compared.
In group 4, no significant difference was observed in
the mean EPG from day 0, as compared with the average
EPG from days 7, 14, 21 and 28 (Table 4)
4. Discussion
Information regarding the use of anthelmintics in game
birds is very scant y .
Ref. [2] demonstrated that the administration of fen-
bendazole reduced natural nematode infection in phea-
sants and partridges.
In the present experiment, the data obained from both
farms showed that a combined dose of ivermectin/
praziquantel/fenbendazole given at the producer recom-
mended dose was highly effective in decreasing the
percentage reduction of EPG and therefore the reduction
of gastrointestinal nematode infections in common fowl
(Gallus gallus) raised as fighting cocks.
It was also demonstrated that even when Vermicell-
Gallos or Endovet-Gallos were formulated with a differ-
ent excipient, they showed no statistical difference in
efficacy. Nevertheless, it is important to point out that
they have shown better efficacy than ivermectin adminis-
tered alone [3-5] praziquantel [6,7] for fenbendazole
used as a single treatment [8-12].
On the other hand, the efficacy of the combined
treatment of 0.2 mg of abamectin plus 30 mg/kg of
albendazole were enough to remove all ascarids and
some Capillaria, since no helminth eggs were found a
few days after treatment. Perhaps a slight advantage of
Trifen-plus is that only two drugs are needed to obtain
similar efficacy and therefore cost decrease on treatments
may be better when these drugs are used. However, a
drawback for this compound is that if the cocks of either
farm under study have a cestode infection, the use of the
ivermectin/praziquantel/fenbendazole combination may
be advisable instead since praziquantel is the drug of
choice to remove this type of helminths.
It is important to mention that the efficacy of albenda-
zole on its own against bird parasites has already been
described by [13]. Nevertheless, as far as we know, no
previous reports regarding the anthelmintic efficacy of an
abamectin/albendazole combination are available. The
slight difference in the percent reduction of egg output
observed between the combination regimens using dis-
tinct excipients is an important to pic for future investiga-
tions. They might correlate bioavailability and anthel-
mintic efficacy by the analysis of ingredient concentra-
tions and their main metabolites by high performance
liquid chromatography.
With regard to th e relation of co st-ben efit, although all
treatments for fighting cocks are not expensive, but it is
important to know the time of the year when helminth
infections are spread in higher proportion in the birds so
that a suitable treatment schedule may be established.
On the other hand, the effect of albendazole on enzy-
Copyright © 2011 SciRes. PP
Comparison of the Anthelmintic Efficacy of Three Commercial Products
against Ascarids and Capillaria SPP. in Fighting Cocks
150
mes from common species of poultry-infecting nema-
todes has been demonstrated [13]; however, as far as we
know, combination regimes employing an ivermectin/
praziquantel/fenbendazole formulation with these anthel-
mintics in fighting cocks have not as yet been reported.
These results have demonstrated that combined dosing
of some commercial anthelmintics provides highly pro-
mising efficacy against gastrointestinal nematodes on
fighting cooks maintaining good health status, which is
highly required for better performance in the fighting
arena.
5. Conclusions
The combined administration of either ivermectin/prazi-
quantel/fenbendazole or abamectin/albendazole adminis-
tered in tablets at the producer’s recommended dose ex-
erted high efficacy against Ascarids and Capillaria spp.
in naturally infected fighting cocks
6. Acknowledgements
Study financially supported by Laboratorios ANDOCI,
S.A. de C.V.
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