Causes and Prevalence of Phytobezoars in Sheep Reared on Natural Pasture in Kordofan

Abstract

This study was carried out in Kordofan region, West Sudan during the period from 2012 to 2014. It aimed to identify the real causes of the herbal balls (phytobezoars) and find out the prevalence of sheep phytobezoariasis in the Greater Kordofan. Husbandry management of this condition was determined in a survey using a questionnaire distributed to breeders in El khuwie, Abu zabad, and El debebat. For chemical characteristics of phytobezoars representative samples of bezoars from slaughtered sheep at abattoirs, and sample from Tabar plant (Blepharocepala Ipomoea) that had shown to initiate formation and retention of this ball has been taken. The results of the laboratory analysis showed that the proteins content of phytobezoars and tabar were on an average of (8.73%, 10.38%), respectively. A detected ether extract signed (0.00%, 0.60%) for phytobezoars and tabar, respectively. The plant fiber content (cellulose, hemi cellulose, lignin and tannins) in phytobezoars were determined. The results showed that phytobezoars and tabar plant had higher contents of heteropolysaccharits as cellulose and hemi cellulose of (47.5, 29.11%), (28.6%, 12.16%) in both, respectively. the percentage of lignin was on an average of (28.6%, 14.34%), and tannin recorded values of (2.05%, 0.025%) in phytobezoars and tabar, respectively. After has been identified to bezoars as suspected of causing the most common foreign bodies (35.3%) of respondent confirmed presence of phytobezoars. 23% of breeders indicated this cause due to grazing the animals on special type of (al tabar) (Merrimia emarginata). Also 44.6% of respondents recorded the phytobezoars are lethal and caused the death of sheep. For husbandry management of phytobezoars the majority of breeders (81.8%) didn’t have knowledge to treat with these cases, only 6.4% said that surgery is the only treatment of the case. For the preventive procedures, 96.3% of breeder answer they had no prevention methods to prevent their animals. The study predicted that the Tabar plant special type (Merrimia emarginata) was causing an incidence of phytobezoars in sheep in Kordofan. Results showed that phytobezoars and tabar plant higher fiber content of (cellulose, hemi cellulose, lignin and tannins), that may affect the formation of phtyobezoars. Finally certain recommendations were given in this aspect.