Incidence of Disorders Due to Ball Formation in the Stomach of Sheep Grazing Natural Grassland Under Rainfed Conditions of Sudan
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: This study was carried out in Western Sudan (Kordofan State) with the objective of investigating the causes and degree of infestation of sheep raised on rangelands with ball-shaped bodies (Phytobezoars). Indigenous knowledge among sheep producers on the disorder was also investigated. The data were collected via a questionnaire at six sites. Range inventory, herbarium collection and identification of plant species, diagnosis of animals for ball-shaped bodies by palpation and calculation of % incidence were carried out among herds brought to a central livestock market. Feeding trials were conducted to examine the incidence of sheep with ball-shaped bodies upon ingestion of Merrimia emarginata at four stages of growth (before flowering, at flowering, plants with immature pods and at late-maturity stages) and at four levels of feeding in the late mature stage (15, 30, 45%). The physical properties of the balls removed from sheep were studied. The occurrence of incidents as reported by 92.5% of the respondents showed the capability of diagnosing the balls. Sheep arriving at the central market showed incidences that ranged from 0 or 1% of some areas to 56.67% for others. Feeding trials indicated that 2 sheep fed on Merrimia emarginata at seed formation and late maturity stages developed 3 balls.
Source: American Journal of Zoology
Authors: Jumaa Jadalla, Muna Ahmed
Language: English
Subfield: Small Animals
Field: Veterinary
Domain: Health Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W4414248038