Efficacy and Safety of Neem Oil for the Topical Treatment of Bloodsucking Lice Linognathus stenopsis in Goats under Field Conditions
by
, , , , , , , and
Alessio Cotticelli
1,
Roberta Matera
1,
Nadia Piscopo
1,
Antonio Bosco
1
,
Salvatore Claps
2,
Paola Del Serrone
3,
Aloma Zoratti
4,
Elisa Castaldo
1,*,
Vincenzo Veneziano
1,
Domenico Rufrano
2,
Gianluca Neglia
1 and
Francesco Buono
1 1
Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Via F. Delpino 1, 80137 Naples, Italy
2
CREA Research Centre for Animal Production and Aquaculture, Bella Muro, 85051 Bella, Italy
3
CREA Research Centre for Animal Production and Aquaculture, Via Salaria 31, Monterotondo, 00016 Rome, Italy
4
Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Animal Science, University of Udine, 33100 Udine, Italy
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Animals 2023, 13(15), 2541; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13152541
Submission received: 18 July 2023
/
Revised: 3 August 2023
/
Accepted: 5 August 2023
/
Published: 7 August 2023
(This article belongs to the Collection Diseases of Small Ruminants)
Simple Summary
Goats are susceptible to ectoparasite infection, and lice control is based on studies conducted in cattle and sheep through the topical application of several synthetic insecticides such as organophosphates, carbamates, and pyrethroids. However, the overuse of these compounds has led to insect resistance phenomena. Thus, natural insecticides could be preferred, considering that synthetic insecticides and their metabolites negatively impact the environment and human and animal health.
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of neem oil on caprine pediculosis and on kids’ growth performances. The neem (Azadirachta indica) belongs to the Meliaceae family, and in Eastern countries it is mainly considered for the insecticidal activities of the kernel oil. The neem seeds contain bioactive principles, such as azadirachtin A, salannin, nimbin, and nimbolide. The trial was carried out on 24 kids, 120 days old, maintained in open yards. Animals were divided in 4 homogeneous groups (n = 6 animals/group) based on age, louse count, body condition score (BCS) and live body weight: Control Group (C, saline NaCl, 0.9%), Neem Group 1 (NO-100, 100 mL of neem oil per 10 kg), Neem Group 2 (NO-200, 200 mL/10 kg), Neem Group 3 (NO-300, 300 mL/10 kg). The treatments were performed by spraying the insecticide on the goat’s body. The study lasted 56 days, and weekly, the kids underwent louse count, BCS and body weight determination, and FAMACHA score. Data were analyzed by ANOVA for repeated measures. The species of lice identified was Linognathus stenopsis. Kids belonging to NO-200 and NO-300 showed a stronger reduction of louse count throughout the study (>95%). The daily weight gain recorded was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in NO-300 than C. No differences were found for BCS and FAMACHA scores. The results of this trial showed that the administration of neem oil to control caprine pediculosis caused by sucking lice represents an alternative to synthetic compounds.
