~ 239 ~ The Pharma Innovation Journal 2020; 9(2): 239-241 ISSN (E): 2277- 7695 ISSN (P): 2349-8242 NAAS Rating: 5.03 TPI 2020; 9(2): 239-241 © 2020 TPI www.thepharmajournal.com Received: 19-12-2019 Accepted: 20-01-2020 Hardeep Kalkal PhD Scholar, Department of Veterinary Parasitology, College of Veterinary Sciences Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Hisar, India Sukhdeep Vohra Senior Scientist, Department of Veterinary Parasitology, College of Veterinary Sciences Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Hisar, India Snehil Gupta Assistant Professor, Department of Veterinary Parasitology, College of Veterinary Sciences Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Hisar, India Corresponding Author: Hardeep Kalkal PhD Scholar, Department of Veterinary Parasitology, College of Veterinary Sciences Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Hisar, India Prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in buffaloes in and around Hisar district, Haryana, India Hardeep Kalkal, Sukhdeep Vohra and Snehil Gupta Abstract During the present study, a total of 400 buffalo faecal samples was collected from four blocks (Hisar-1, Hisar-2, Adampur and Agroha) of Hisar district, Haryana along with their age and sex to know the prevalence of gastrointestinal (GI) parasitic infection. Samples were examined using floatation and sedimentation techniques and data generated was statistically analyzed using IBM SPSS software (version 20). A total of 329 (82.25%) samples were infected with one or more species of GI parasites. In positive cases, Eimeria spp. (56.25%) was the most prevalent followed by Strongyloides spp. 30%, strongyles 26.75%, Moniezia spp. 6% and Trichuris spp. 5.57%. Age-wise prevalence of Eimeria spp. 42% was found higher (p<0.01) in animals below six months of age, however, higher (p<0.01) prevalence of Strongyloides spp. 20% and strongyles 17.25% was recorded in animals above 6 months. Sex wise prevalence of Eimeria spp. 45.75% was found higher (p<0.01) in females as compared to males. Strongyloides, strongyles, Moniezia and Trichuris spp. were also recoded higher in female but not significant (p>0.05). Keywords: Buffalo, Eimeria spp., prevalence, gastrointestinal, Haryana 1. Introduction Parasitic infestation is a major constraint of livestock and causes great economic loss to the dairy industry by way of retarded growth, low productivity and increased susceptibility of animals to other infections (Yadav et al. 2004) [13] . Buffaloes are raised as economically important animals because they are multipurpose animals providing milk, meat and good quality hides (Liu et al. 2009) [10] . In India, the majority of small and marginal farmers are more dependent on buffaloes than cattle for their livelihood as they also serve as an insurance against the risk of crop failure due to natural calamities (Dhanda, 2004) [4] . The global population of buffaloes ( Bubalus bubalis) spread in some 42 countries is estimated to be approximately 177.2 million of which 97% (171 million) and 55.7% (98.7 million) are found in Asia and India, respectively (FAO, 2008) [5] . However, information on the prevalence and distribution of gastrointestinal parasites in buffalo from Haryana, India is very fragmentary and scanty. The current study was carried out to determine the levels of GI infections of buffalo in the Hisar, Haryana and to determine the effects of age and sex on the prevalence of GI parasitism to form a basis for formulating strategies for parasite control. 2. Material and Methods 2.1 Location, Geography and Climate The district Hisar of Haryana is located at 2905’5” north latitude and 75045’55” east longitudes. It covers a geographical area of 3,983 Sq. Km. and elevated from sea 215m (705ft). 2.2 Sample collection and analysis A total of 400 faecal samples were collected from buffaloes of Hisar districts. Multi-stage stratified random sampling was done while collecting the faecal sample from Hisar districts. Four blocks were randomly selected from Hisar district and from each block four villages were randomly selected and 25 samples were collected from each village. Only one faecal sample was taken from each wiling household covering a cross-section of the village. Samples were examined using floatation and sedimentation techniques. Effect of age (1-6 months and 6 months above) and sex (male and female) was epidemiologically investigated. 2.3 Statistical analysis The data generated were statistically analysed using IBM SPSS software version 20). Chi- square test was applied for epidemiological investigations.