Biomedical subjects

D Barth

Publications and source records attributed to D Barth.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2000

Effects of Psoroptes ovis infection and its control with an ivermectin controlled-release capsule on growing sheep. 2. Evaluation of wool production and leather value.

To evaluate the prophylactic and therapeutic effects of an ivermectin controlled-release capsule (IVM-CRC) on the productivity of growing sheep infested with Psoroptes ovis 24 male and 24 female Merino landrace lambs, 5-6 months old and weighing 21.2-35.0 kg, were used. Sixteen replicates of three animals were formed based on sex and Day 0 body weight. Within each replicate animals were randomly allocated to one of three groups: untreated control; IVM-CRC on Day 0; IVM-CRC on Day 84. For treatment an IVM-CRC for sheep weighing 20-45 kg was used which is designed to deliver ivermectin at a minimum dose of 20 microg/kg/day for 100 days. The lambs were infested with 50-60 P. ovis mites each on days 14 and 21. The animals were shorn on Day 126. After slaughter on Day 127 the quality of the leather produced from their skins was evaluated. The IVM-CRC treatment on Day 0 prevented the establishment of P. ovis. All untreated lambs became infested. The lambs treated with an IVM-CRC on Day 84 became mite-free from Day 112 onwards. The lambs which were treated on Day 0 had significantly (p<0.05) greater clean fleece weight (1.5 kg) and fleece yield (52.1%) than the untreated controls (0.9 kg and 34.1%, respectively) or than lambs treated on Day 84 (1.0 kg and 47.8%, respectively). Clean fleece weight and fleece yield were in the tendency (p=0.055) or significantly (p<0. 001) greater, respectively, for lambs treated on Day 84 than for the untreated controls. The chrome tanned dried crust leather of all untreated controls and six of the 16 lambs treated on Day 84 showed grain surface defects such as discolourations, indurations and coarse, pitted grain. The useful (defect-free) leather size was significantly (p<0.01) higher for the lambs treated on Day 0 (100%) than for the lambs treated on Day 84 (82.7%) and the untreated controls (7.8%). The physical testing revealed that the leather of sheep treated on Day 0 had significantly (p<0.05) higher thickness, elongation break and tear resistance than the leather of both untreated controls and sheep treated on Day 84. There were no significant differences in the physical characteristics of the leather of the untreated controls and the sheep treated on Day 84.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Effects of psoroptes ovis infection and its control with an ivermectin controlled-release capsule on growing sheep. 1. Evaluation of weight gain, feed consumption and carcass value.

To evaluate the prophylactic and therapeutic effects of an ivermectin controlled-release capsule (IVM-CRC) on the productivity of growing sheep infested with Psoroptes ovis 24 male and 24 female Merino landrace lambs, 5-6 months old and weighing 21.2-35.0 kg, were used. Sixteen replicates of three animals were formed based on sex and Day 0 body weight. Within each replicate animals were randomly allocated to one of three groups: untreated control; IVM-CRC on Day 0; IVM-CRC on Day 84. For treatment an IVM-CRC for sheep weighing 20-45 kg was used which is designed to deliver ivermectin at a minimum dose of 20 microg/kg per day for 100 days. The lambs were infested with 50-60 P. ovis mites each on Days 14 and 21. Mites in skin scrapings were counted on Days 70, 84, 98, 112 and 126. Body weight and feed consumption were measured every 2 weeks from Day 0 to 126. The animals were slaughtered on Day 127 and their carcasses evaluated. The IVM-CRC treatment on Day 0 prevented the establishment of P. ovis. All untreated lambs became infested. The lambs treated with an IVM-CRC on Day 84 became mite-free from Day 112 onwards. The lambs treated on Day 0 had significantly (p<0.05) greater body weight gain from Day 0 to 84 (13.9 kg) and Day 0 to 126 (20.9 kg) than the untreated controls (9.6 and 12.8 kg, respectively) and the sheep treated on Day 84 (8.4 and 14.9 kg, respectively). Feed consumption (Days 0-126) for sheep treated with the IVM-CRC on Day 0 was higher than for sheep treated on Day 84 (p<0.05) and for the untreated controls (p<0.1). The carcasses of sheep treated with the IVM-CRC on Day 0 had significantly (p<0.05) higher warm and cold weights, carcass yield, rib eye area and back fat thickness than the untreated control group and the sheep treated with the IVM-CRC on Day 84. The sheep treated with the ivermectin CRC on either Day 0 or 84 had significantly (p<0.05) better muscle scores and lower muscle pH 1h post-slaughter than the untreated controls. There was no significant (p>0.1) difference between warm and cold carcass weights, carcass yield and rib eye area between sheep treated on Day 84 and untreated controls.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Efficacy of an ivermectin controlled-release capsule against some rarer nematode parasites of sheep.

A controlled trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of the intraruminal ivermectin controlled-release capsule (CRC) (IVOMEC Maximizer CR Capsule for Sheep, Merial Ltd.) against induced incoming third-stage larvae and established adult infections with some rarer gastrointestinal nematode parasites of sheep. Twenty-one worm-free lambs were allocated by restricted randomisation based on body weight within sex to one of the following treatments: unmedicated control, ivermectin CRC given on Day 0 prior to induced infection, and ivermectin CRC given on Day 70 after establishment of induced infection. The ivermectin CRC delivers ivermectin at a minimum dose rate of 20 microg/kg/day for 100 days. Infections were induced by daily administration of third-stage larvae for five consecutive days. Nematodes were counted on Day 84, 14 days after treatment of established infection. The treatment with the ivermectin CRC prevented the establishment of Ostertagia leptospicularis, O. ostertagi, Bunostomum trigonocephalum, Cooperia oncophora, C. punctata, C. surnabada, Nematodirus helvetianus, N. roscidus and Strongyloides papillosus by >99% as compared with the untreated controls (p < 0.01). The administration of the ivermectin CRC reduced established adult infections of O. ostertagi, B. trigonocephalum, C. oncophora, C. punctata, C. surnabada, N. roscidus and S. papillosus by >99% (p < 0.01), and reduced established adult infections of O. leptospicularis and N. helvetianus by 96.5 and 98.4% (p < 0.01), respectively.

Abomasum↗

PubMed1999

A review of the use of a controlled-release formulation of ivermectin in the treatment and prophylaxis of Psoroptes ovis infestations in sheep.

The options for the treatment and control of sheep scab (psoroptic mange) have been increased in recent years through the introduction of the endectocides ivermectin, doramectin and moxidectin. Whilst therapeutic efficacy is good, the current injectable formulations offer limited protection against re-infestation with Psoroptes ovis. An intraruminal controlled-release formulation of ivermectin has been developed to provide therapeutic and prophylactic activity against a range of sensitive endo- and ecto-parasites of sheep for 100 days after administration. These ivermectin boluses are designed to release ivermectin at 20-40 microg/kg/day over 100 days and were developed for use in sheep of 20-90 kg bodyweight. Several controlled therapeutic and prophylactic trials against sheep scab have been conducted under a variety of protocols with such boluses in Europe and South America. The results of these studies indicate that the bolus provides 100% therapeutic efficacy against established P. ovis infestations and equivalent prophylactic efficacy against challenge infestations administered during the active life of the bolus.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Efficacy of ivermectin in a controlled release formulation against Psoroptes ovis (Hering, 1838) gervais, 1841 (Acari: Psoroptidae) on sheep.

Three trials including 42 sheep were conducted in Brazil or Germany to evaluate the therapeutic (two trials) and prophylactic (one trial) efficacy of an ivermectin controlled release capsule (CRC) against Psoroptes ovis infestation. In one therapeutic trial naturally infested sheep were used while in the other trials infestations were experimentally induced. In each trial half of the animals were treated on Day 0 with one ivermectin controlled release capsule that delivers ivermectin at a rate of 1.6 mg/day for approximately 100 days, that is 20 mcg/kg/day to a 80 kg animal, while the other half remained untreated. In both therapeutic trials mites were counted in skin scrapings and their presence was recorded at predilection sites one day before treatment and at weekly intervals from Day 7 to Day 56. In the trial conducted to evaluate the prophylactic efficacy the sheep were experimentally infested with P. ovis 21 and 28 days post-treatment and mites were counted and recorded at predilection sites on Days 42, 49 and 56. The ivermectin controlled release capsule was completely effective in eliminating the P. ovis mites within 28 days of administration and it prevented the establishment of an infestation of P. ovis induced 21 and 28 days after administration.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Efficacy of an ivermectin controlled-release capsule against nematode and arthropod endoparasites in sheep.

Five controlled trials were conducted in Germany or in the United Kingdom, using 74 female sheep of merino or Dorset horn breeds, to evaluate the efficacy of an ivermectin controlled-release capsule against naturally acquired or induced infections of gastrointestinal nematodes, lungworms and nasal bot larvae and against incoming infections with gastrointestinal and pulmonary nematodes. Half of the animals were treated with one ivermectin controlled-release capsule that delivered ivermectin at the rate of 1.6 mg per day for 100 days while the other half remained untreated. Parasites were counted 21, 28, 35 or 56 days after administration of the capsule. The treatment was highly effective (> or = 99 per cent) against established parasites of the following species: Haemonchus contortus (adults and fourth-stage larvae), Ostertagia circumcincta, O pinnata, O trifurcata, Ostertagia species fourth-stage larvae, Trichostrongylus axei, T colubriformis, T vitrinus, Cooperia curticei, Nematodirus battus, N filicollis, Strongyloides papillosus, Chabertia ovina, Oesophagostomum venulosum, Trichuris ovis, Tr skrjabini, Dictyocaulus filaria, Protostrongylus rufescens and Oestrus ovis (larvae). The treatment prevented the establishment of the gastrointestinal nematodes H contortus, O circumcincta, T axei, T colubriformis, C curticei, N battus, N filicollis, Ch ovina, Oe vennulosum and the establishment of the lungworm D filaria by > 99 per cent compared with untreated controls (P < or = 0.01).

Animals↗

PubMed1998

[Results of long-term follow-up of transsexual patients].

From 69 transsexual patients (48 men, 21 women) having consulted the Basel University Psychiatric Outpatient-Department between 1970 and 1990, 13 men-to-woman- and 4 woman-to-man-transsexuals could be examined in a follow-up (5-20 years after the operation). The social conditions and the quality of life of the 13 men-to-woman-transsexuals had significantly deteriorated: 9 of the 13 depend on life annuity or on social welfare assistance. The patients live socially very isolated. Eight of them report almost not being able to experience sexual pleasure, 10 suffer from anxieties, depression or addictions. Three regret having demanded the operation and two have passed a second operation for restoration of the original state. The 4 woman-to-man-transsexuals showed slightly better results: 2 of them are fully professionally active and live in constant personal relationships of several years of duration. The 2 others, however, suffer from depression and problems of addiction and give the impression of affective lability. The results lead to the following conclusions: 1. the criteria of indication for the operation of the transsexuals should be observed thoroughly, especially the psychotherapeutic accompaniment before the operation during at least 1 year; 2. the question of emotional stability, of frustration tolerance and of the danger of an outbreak of psychosis are to be examined carefully; 3. the professional and social integration before and after the operation is of central importance.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

The conserved 5'-untranslated leader of Spi-1 (PU.1) mRNA is highly structured and potently inhibits translation in vitro but not in vivo.

The transcription factor Spi-1 (PU.1) has a central role in regulating myeloid gene expression during hematopoietic development and its overexpression has been implicated in erythroleukemic transformation. Thus regulation of Spi-1 expression has broad significance for hematopoietic development. A comparison of human and murine cDNA sequences demonstrates that the 5'-untranslated region (5'-UTR) of Spi-1 mRNA is as highly conserved as the coding region (87% identical), suggesting that this sequence may be involved in regulating expression of this protein. The experiments presented in this manuscript provide evidence that the 5'-UTR of Spi-1 contains extensive secondary structure, including three stem-loops that precede the AUG codon. Analysis of the in vitro transcribed Spi-1 5'-UTR by partial nuclease digestion sensitivity is consistent with the existence of two of these stem-loops. The 5'-UTR decreased translation of Spi-1 transcripts in reticuloctye lysates 8- to 10-fold. A series of partial deletions of the 5'-UTR identified the sequence corresponding to the stem-loop most proximal to the initiating AUG codon as sufficient for inhibition of translation. However, the effect of the 5'-UTR on translation in vivo was negligible and resulted in only a slight reduction in the number of ribosomes that became associated with the mRNA. Further, this sequence had no affect on expression of luciferase. The disparity between in vivo and in vitro effects, coupled with the observation that endogenous Spi-1 mRNA is wholly associated with polysomes in MEL cells, suggests that additional cellular mechanisms contribute to regulation of Spi-1 expression in these cells or that conservation of these sequences serves a function that is independent of translation.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed1997

Evaluation of the persistence of the effect of ivermectin and abamectin against gastrointestinal and pulmonary nematodes in cattle.

The persistence of the effect of ivermectin and abamectin against gastrointestinal nematodes and lungworm in cattle was evaluated in two trials, each involving 28 animals. Groups of seven cattle either remained untreated, or were treated topically with ivermectin at 500 micrograms/kg bodyweight or subcutaneously with either ivermectin or abamectin at 200 micrograms/kg bodyweight. Starting on the day of treatment the cattle were given daily trickle infections with various infective nematode larvae for two weeks (Haemonchus species, Trichostrongylus axei and Cooperia species), three weeks (Ostertagia ostertagi and Oesophagostomum radiatum) and four weeks (Dictyocaulus viviparus). The cattle were killed 49 to 51 days after treatment and their worm burdens measured. An efficacy of > 99 per cent was recorded in all the groups demonstrating that the products controlled Haemonchus species, T axei, C oncophora, C punctata and C surnabada for at least two weeks, O ostertagi and O radiatum for at least three weeks and D viviparus for at least four weeks.

Administration, Topical↗

PubMed1997

Therapeutic and prophylactic efficacy of the Ivomec SR Bolus against nematodes and Psoroptes ovis in cattle weighing more than 300 kg at the time of treatment.

Three trials using 50 European breed cattle were conducted to evaluate the therapeutic and prophylactic efficacy of the Ivomec SR Bolus against nematodes (2 trials) and Psoroptes ovis (1 trial) in cattle weighing more than 300 kg at the time of treatment. The Ivomec SR Bolus proved to be highly effective against economically important gastrointestinal and pulmonary nematodes (Ostertagia ostertagi, Trichostrongylus axei, Cooperia punctata, Oesophagostomum radiatum, Dictyocaulus viviparus) and improved the rate of weight gain significantly. P. ovis was eliminated from cattle treated with an Ivomec SR Bolus. The treatment also provided prophylaxis against an infestation of P. ovis and increased the weight gain of cattle infested with P. ovis.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Efficacy of eprinomectin against mange mites in cattle.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether eprinomectin was effective against mange caused by Chorioptes bovis and Sarcoptes bovis in cattle. ANIMALS: 80 cows naturally infested with C bovis and 30 cattle experimentally infested with S bovis. PROCEDURE: 6 trials were performed to determine efficacy against C bovis, and 2 trials were performed to determine efficacy against S bovis. In each trial, a group of untreated animals or of animals treated with vehicle alone was compared with a group of animals treated with a 0.5% formulation of eprinomectin applied topically (500 micrograms/kg). Number of mites in skin scrapings was determined prior to treatment and at weekly intervals for 8 weeks after treatment. Severity of skin lesions was evaluated when skin scrapings were obtained. In 5 trials, animals were weighed before and 56 days after treatment. RESULTS: Mite counts for treated cattle were significantly less than counts for control cattle from day 14 onwards in trials to determine efficacy against C bovis and from day 7 onwards in trials to determine efficacy against S bovis. Mites were not detected in scrapings collected from treated cattle on day 56. Mean weight gain of treated cattle was not significantly different from mean weight gain of control cattle in trials evaluating efficacy against C bovis but was significantly greater in trials evaluating efficacy against S bovis. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Eprinomectin was highly effective against C bovis and S bovis. Because eprinomectin can be administered to lactating cows, it may be useful for controlling mange in cattle.

Administration, Topical↗

PubMed1996

Efficacy of an in-feed formulation of ivermectin against adult worms and somatic larvae of Strongyloides ransomi.

The efficacy of an in-feed formulation (IVOMEC premix) containing 0.6% ivermectin was tested against Strongyloides ransomi in swine. The efficacy of ivermectin against patent infections of S. ransomi when given via the feed at 2 ppm for 7 days (Days 0-7) to provide 100 mcg ivermectin kg-1 body weight day-1 was evaluated in a study with 16 3-month-old male castrated piglets. Seven days prior to treatment each piglet was infected subcutaneously with 2500 infective larvae of S. ransomi. Fecal egg counts were carried out on Days -7, 0, 7 and 14, and worm counts on Day 14. Efficacy was 100% in all treated piglets. Two trials involving 40 pregnant gilts were carried out to evaluate the efficacy of ivermectin against the somatic larval stages of S. ransomi when given at a daily dose of 100 mcg kg-1 body weight for 7 days starting on Days 66, 78, 92 or 103 of pregnancy. The gilts were each experimentally infected with three subcutaneous injections of 250,000 infective larvae, with the last infection given between 12 and 30 days prior to commencement of treatment. Gilts were confirmed free of pre-existing intestinal stages of S. ransomi prior to ivermectin treatment. Fecal nematode egg counts were carried out in gilts/sows and piglets subsequently born. The Strongyloides larvae present in sow milk 1, 2 and 7 days post partum were counted. Fourteen days post natum, worm counts were performed in four randomly selected piglets for each litter. IVOMEC premix given to pregnant gilts prevented shedding of larvae in sow milk, egg output in feces and the establishment of S. ransomi in piglets.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed1996

Expression of the transcription factor, Spi-1 (PU.1), in differentiating murine erythroleukemia cells Is regulated post-transcriptionally. Evidence for differential stability of transcription factor mRNAs following inducer exposure.

Increased expression of the transcription factor Spi-1 (PU.1) results from retroviral insertion in nearly all Friend spleen focus-forming virus-transformed murine erythroleukemia cell lines and exposure of these cells to Me2SO, induces their differentiation and decreases Spi-1 mRNA level by 4-5-fold. While these results suggest that alterations in Spi-1 expression have significant effects on erythroblast growth and differentiation, neither the cause nor the effect of the decrease in Spi-1 expression that follows Me2SO exposure has been established. The experiments described here demonstrate that the effect of inducers on Spi-1 expression is regulated post-transcriptionally. Nuclear run-off transcriptions demonstrated that Spi-1 transcription was not decreased following Me2SO exposure. Additionally, expression of a recombinant Spi-1 mRNA under transcriptional control of a constitutively active Rous sarcoma virus promoter was regulated identically to endogenous Spi-1 mRNA. The ability of Me2SO to destabilize Spi-1 mRNA was selective, as the stability of the erythroid transcription factors GATA-1 and NF-E2 were not similarly effected. The effect of Me2SO on the stability of Spi-1 mRNA provides a novel means of altering gene expression in these cells and is likely to have significance for the differentiation of these cells.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

RNA polymerase II inhibitor, 5,6-dichloro-1-beta-D-ribofuranosylbenzimidazole (DRB) causes erythroleukemic differentiation and transcriptional activation of erythroid genes.

Friend virus-transformed murine erythroleukemia (MEL) cells are a useful system for studying the regulation of erythroid growth and differentiation. As a manifestation of the leukemic process, these erythroblasts are blocked in their ability to terminally differentiate. However, this block is reversible as a variety of different agents are capable of inducing differentiation of these malignant erythroblasts. The mechanisms by which these agents cause differentiation remains unknown. We report here that 5,6-dichlorobenzimidazole (DRB), which inhibits RNA polymerase II by causing premature termination of transcription, induces differentiation of these cells, including the transcriptional activation of erythroid genes. The effects of DRB on nonerythroid gene expression and on cell growth are substantially different than that of the commonly used inducer, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). The shared ability of DMSO, DRB, and other unrelated agents to induce erythroid gene expression in MEL cells while having differing effects on nonerythroid gene expression and on cell growth suggests that expression of the terminally differentiated phenotype represents a common pathway that can be triggered by different mechanisms.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Eprinomectin: a novel avermectin for use as a topical endectocide for cattle.

Eprinomectin (MK-397 or 4"-epi-acetylamino-4"-deoxy-avermectin B1) is a novel avermectin selected for development as a topical endectocide for all cattle, including lactating dairy cows. Herein, we show its anthelmintic, insecticidal and miticidal activity. To determine its anthelmintic capabilities, eprinomectin was tested topically on Jersey calves at 0.08, 0.2, or 0.5 mg kg-1 in a probe formulation against experimental infections of adult Haemonchus placei, ostertagia ostertagi, Trichostrongylus axei, T. colubriformis, Cooperia oncophora, C. punctata, Nematodirus helvetianus, Oesophagostomum radiatum and Dictyocaulus viviparus. Eprinomectin removed > or = 99% and > or = 98% of the adult stage of every species at the 0.5 and 0.2 mg kg-1 dosage levels, respectively. The lowest dosage (0.08 mg kg-1) produced maximal or near maximal efficacy against most of the adult endoparasites with the exception of T. colubriformis (87%) and C. oncophora (88%). In a separate test, eprinomectin was evaluated topically against the immature stages of species at the same dosages. Results showed > or = 99% and > or = 98% removal of the immature stages of each species at the 0.5 and 0.2 mg kg-1 dosage levels, respectively. The 0.08 mg kg-1 dosage maintained > or = 97% efficacy against 6 species with reduced activity against H. placei (42%) and N. helvetianus (66%). For ectoparasites, eprinomectin was tested topically at 0.16, 0.24, 0.32 or 0.5 mg kg-1 on mixed breed cattle naturally infested with the sucking louse, Linognathus vituli. Complete elimination of lice at all dosages was observed by day 14. Topical delivery of eprinomectin at 0.16, 0.24, 0.32 or 0.5 mg kg-1 to Holstein calves experimentally challenged with horn fly, Haematobia irritans, produced 100% efficacy to challenge by week 2 post-treatment in all dosages groups and 94% and 99% efficacy to challenge at the 0.32 and 0.5 mg kg-1 dosage groups, respectively, at week 4. Topical delivery of eprinomectin at 0.16, 0.24 or 0.5 mg kg-1 to Deutsches Fleckvieh cattle infested with mange mites, Chorioptes bovis, produced > or = 95% control at all dosages levels by day 14 post-treatment and was maintained at or near this efficacious level for the 6-week duration of the trial. No adverse reaction was observed in any animal in any of these tests. In summary, these experimental data indicate that eprinomectin is an excellent broad-spectrum endectocide for cattle and is suitable for topical delivery.

Administration, Topical↗

PubMed1995

Significance of moisture content of dung pats for colonisation and degradation of cattle dung.

The moisture content of freshly voided cattle faeces is important with regard to colonisation by fauna and the rate of degradation of dung pats. This paper reports five trials designed to clarify the influence of small changes in moisture content of dung pats on dung breeding Coleoptera, Diptera, nematodes and earthworms and on degradation of the pats. Surface area, wet weight and organic substance content were used as parameters for measurement of degradation. Special attention was given to a trial which compared naturally voided pats with pats formed artificially from faeces of the same animals. Results indicate that small differences in moisture content of 1-2%, which may not be distinguishable by visual inspection, may have an impact on the development of Diptera, Coleoptera and earthworms and on dung degradation.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

Rapid identification of some coumarin derivatives in deterpenated citrus peel oil by gas chromatography.

Generally on the gas chromatogram of a volatile essential oil, terpenes, oxygenated compounds and sesquiterpenes appear. With temperature programming, it was shown that some non-volatiles are present with the volatiles. They are simple coumarin (2H-1-benzopyran-2-one) derivatives such as citropten (5,7-dimethoxycoumarin) and furocoumarins (psoralen, 7H-furo[3,2-g][1]benzopyran-7-one) such as bergapten (5-methoxypsoralen), some of which are phototoxic. Terpeneless oils are used in perfumes and cosmetics, so it is important to be able to establish rapidly if they contain phototoxic compounds.

5-Methoxypsoralen↗

PubMed1994

Colonisation and degradation of dung pats after subcutaneous treatment of cattle with ivermectin or levamisole.

The fauna and degradation of dung pats from cattle treated with ivermectin or levamisole were examined in a field study conducted in southern Germany. Four groups of seven cattle each grazed on four paddocks. The cattle were treated subcutaneously with ivermectin (0.2 mg/kg) or levamisole (5 mg/kg) 3, 8 and 13 weeks after turnout. A total of 300 pats voided naturally before the first and third treatment and 3, 7, 14 and 28 days after treatment were evaluated. Half of them were used as sampling pats, in which adult and immature Coleoptera, larvae of Diptera and soil and dung nematodes were counted. Earthworms were weighed in samples taken on 8 occasions within 63 days after pat deposition. Dung degradation was investigated using 150 observation pats by measuring surface area, weight and organic matter content on six occasions within 63 days from deposition. A photographic record was also maintained. There was no difference between treatment groups as to the range of Coleoptera, nematodes and earthworms collected from the pats. No quantitative differences between groups were seen regarding the total number of adult and immature dung beetles, soil nematodes and earthworms isolated within 63 days after deposition. Populations of Diptera larvae in pats voided up to 28 days after treatment were reduced for the ivermectin treated group relative to the levamisole group. There were reductions in numbers of dung specific nematodes in pats from both groups and some species were reduced in pats deposited 3, 7, and to a lesser extent, 14 days after treatment for the ivermectin group compared with pats from the levamisole group. These effects on dung fauna had no impact on dung degradation. The results of serial measurement of pat area, photographic evaluation, and determination of remaining dung weight and organic matter showed no difference between treatment group.

Animals↗