Exploiting synergisms and interactions in the nutritional approaches to parasite control in sheep production systems

Occurrence of resistance to anthelmintics and increased awareness about drug residues entering the food chain and harming the environment, have called for a reduction in the regular, preventive use of anthelmintics and an increase in the use of nonchemical means to control parasitic infections in small ruminants. In the present paper, we focus on the consequences of the nutritional interventions, in the form of nutritional supplementation and/or the consumption of bioactive plants, on host resistance to parasitism. We also consider possible synergisms between the various nutritional options for parasite control, as well as their interaction with other chemical and non-chemical control measures. The chemical control measures include the targeted, selective use of anthelmintics, which is achieved either by monitoring and treating individual animals, or by targeting specific nematode species and consequently minimising the use of anthelmintics.We believe that it is timely to look at these synergisms, as it becomes evident that future parasite control will be achieved with the combined use of more than one strategy.We elaborate on the feasibility of their combined, simultaneous or consecutive use and conclude with suggestions for future research directions to fully explore these synergisms and their potential use for helminth control in sheep production. © 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.