Thesis:

Studying the effect of different seasons in 1403 on the level of liver parasite infection in light livestock in one of the slaughterhouses in Mashhad

Livestock, as one of the most important sources of animal protein, plays a significant role in food security and the economy of societies. In the meantime, light livestock such as sheep and goats are of particular importance due to their high adaptability to the diverse climatic conditions of Iran, especially in semi-arid and mountainous regions. With the increasing demand of society for healthy and hygienic meat products, attention to factors affecting livestock health, especially parasitic diseases, has become more necessary than ever. In this study, the level of liver parasite contamination in livestock slaughtered in the Mashhad slaughterhouse was examined over a one-year period, and the results clearly showed that about 7.32% of slaughtered female sheep had parasitic infection with liver hydatid cysts and 1.20% of slaughtered male sheep also had hydatid cysts. In the case of slaughtered female goats, the infection rate was about 1.68% and in male goats it was 0.29%. Also, the parasitic infection rate with pulmonary hydatid cyst in female and male sheep was 16.01% and 15.66%, respectively. The infection rate with pulmonary hydatid cyst in female and male goats was 4.12% and 1.36%, respectively. The prevalence of Fasciola in female and male sheep was 1.61% and 10.54%. The infection rate with Fasciola was not reported in female and male goats. The infection rate with Dicrocelium in female and male sheep was 0.9% and 1.37%, and the infection rate with Sarcocyst was 8.18% and 0.49%, respectively, and the infection with Dicrocelium and Sarcocyst was not reported in female and male goats. According to the results, the infection rate of hepatic hydatid cyst in female and male sheep slaughtered in April was 4.26% and 1.15%, respectively. Infection rate of pulmonary hydatid cyst in female and male sheep was 12.80% and 13.02%, respectively. This infection rate was 7.2% and 2.07% in female and male goats, respectively. The infection rate of Fasciola was also 4.18% and 13.08% in female and male sheep, respectively. Regarding the infection rate of Dicrocelium, it was 3.76% and 0.63% in female and male sheep, respectively. Similarly, sarcocyst was reported in 10.45% of slaughtered sheep. Regarding the slaughter and infection rate in other months, the results also clearly show that the highest infection rate among livestock belongs to the female sex.

Keywords: Keywords: Light livestock, parasitic infection, liver parasites.