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Preliminary observations on the vermicompost made from Faecal Pellets of

Ivermectin treated goats

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 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES Volume 3, No 5, 2013

© Copyright by the authors - Licensee IPA- Under Creative Commons license 3.0

Research article ISSN 0976 – 4402

Preliminary observations on the vermicompost made from Faecal Pellets of

Ivermectin treated goats
Madhav N. Mugale1, Dhanya Nair2, Vikash S. Chauhan2, Mansi Sachdeva2, M.M.Gatne3
1- PhD Scholar and Ex-toxicopathologist and Research Scientist in Department of Veterinary
Pathology, Venus Medicine Research Centre Chandigarh, India
2- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Bombay Veterinary College, Parel, Mumbai,
India-400012
3- PhD Professor of Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology. Bombay Veterinary
College, Parel, Mumbai, India-400012
madhav.mugale@gmail.com
doi:10.6088/ijes.2013030500005

ABSTRACT

The objective of the study was to assess the effect of ivermectin [if any] on the growth of
earthworms, constitute and porosity of vermicompost prepared from excreta of ivermectin
treated and untreated goat pellets. The pellets voided by treated and untreated goats (goats not
injected with ivermectin) were collected separately and 200 earthworms were placed in
processed fecal mass of treated and untreated goats. Both the groups were maintained under
similar environmental conditions for eight weeks. The growth of earthworms was assessed by
manually counting total number of earthworms/ 8 kg of vermicompost, total weight of
earthworm before start and end of experiment, and no. of cocoons per 600 gm of
vermicompost. The manual number of earthworm of various sizes counted. It was observed
insignificant difference in the two groups and also insignificant in mass difference. Visual
differences were also observed between the treated and untreated groups of vermicompost.
Decomposition of pellet pats from recently ivemectin treated goats was delayed significantly,
and also slight adverse effect on vermicompost constitute prepared from untreated goat pellet.
No advese effect of treatment was recorded on earthworm. Faecally excreted ivermecitin
inhibits the decomposition rate of pellet delay in formation of vermicompost and also inhibits
primary dipteran flies and larvae of dung beetles.

Keywords: Earthworms (sps. Eisenia fetida), Goat, Ivermectin, Pellet, Vermicompost.

1. Introduction

Ivermectin is a broadspectrum an endo-ectocide commonly used in pet and and farm. It

effective against number of parasites such as nematodes, acarines and insects and it also
improves the skin coat of animal (Negrea 1997). It is prepared from abamectin, a natural
fermentation product of soil bacterium Streptomyces avermitilis (Payne et al 1995). The
effects of a single therapeutic injection of the antiparasitic drug ivermecitin (22, 23 -
dihydroavermectin B1) administered to goat at 200 µg/kg b.wt. were studied in field and
laboratory conditions. Outstanding feature of drug is its persistant action, that potentiates
GABA (Gamma amino butyric acid) in target species causing neuromuscular paralysis
(Goodman and Gillman), which prevents establishment of parasites for 2-3 weeks after single
therapeutic injection (Armour et al 1985). The drug is extensively used for domestic livestock
in many parts of the world to control for external and internal parasites (Forbes 1993). The
excreted ivemectin may kill non-target organism in dung pats (Wall and Strong 1987). In the

Received on December 2012 Published on March 2013 1355

 Preliminary observations on the vermicompost made from Faecal Pellets of Ivermectin treated goats

absence of dung degrading insects, normal degradation of dung may then be retarded. Wide
use of ivermectin as a broad spectrum parasiticide in animals may causes negative effects on
ecology as well soil porosity. Vermicompost is a natural soil fertilizer made up from
degradation and composting of waste material and faecal output of animals by earthworm.
Earthworms became mature 16 weeks after hatching from coccon irrespective of dung type
(Gunn and Sadd 1994). Ivermecin mainly excreted in the excreta of animals, where it has
been shown to be an effective insecticide controlling larvae of economically and ecologically
important dung-breeding flies such as horn flies (Hematobia irritans), Stable flies (Stomoxy
calcitrans), and face flies (Musca autmnalis) (Campbell and Benz 1984). Most of the drug
dose given to animals is excreted unaltered in faeces (Halley et al 1989 “b”). The
concentration of ivermectin in faeces as a function of days after treatment has been
investigated in cattle (Sommer et al 1992; Herd et al 1996). Vemicompost used as a natural
fertilizer which increases physical structure, enriches the soil with microorganism, enzymes
and availability of major and minor element, soil porosity, which increases aereation of soil.
Reports are mainly concerned with short-term effects of residues and metabolites of
ivermectin on earthworm numbers in the field and laboratory condition (Sommer et al 1992,
Wall et al 1987 and Madsen et al (1990). Present study was undertaken to assess if
ivermectin had any effect on the growth of earthworms, soil porosity, physical observation
and chemical constitute of vermicompost prepared from ivermectin treated and untreated goat
pellets at therapeutic dose rate.

2. Materials and method

Sixteen healthy Osmanabadi female goats of age 10-12 months were selected for this
experiment. Goats were reared under intensive grazing system in registered goat farm and ad-
libitum water and feed were provided. Out of 16 goats, eight were dewormed with Ivermectin
at therapeutic dose rate of 200 µg/kg body weight subcutaneously (Neomec Veterinary
injection 10 mg/ml; Intas Pharmaceuticals LTD. Ahmedabad India). The other eight goats
remained without Ivermectin. The pellets voided by ivermectin treated and untreated goats
were collected separately up to 30 days. The pellet collected from each group was mixed
thoroughly in a concrete mixer before immediate use. Two wooden boxes each with L= 0.50
m, B= 0.25 m and depth 0.25m and thickness 0.20 m is fabricated. Adding of 8 kg of
properly mixed faecal mass from each group. Both boxes were kept at same environmental
conditions, temperature and providing equal amount of water for moisturization. Tap water
was added to maintain a moisture 25.2 ± 2.3% (wet mass ± SD), Precomposting of pellet was
done separately for 15 days. Then 200 earthworms were placed after weighing in
precomposted fecal mass of both the groups. Maintaining both the contents under similar
environmental conditions and experimental treatments for eight weeks the growth of
earthworms was assessed by manually counting total number of earthworms, weight of
earthworm/ 8 kg of vemicompost and cocoons per 600 gm of compost from eight different
places of wooden box (Bottom, middle and superficial part of vermicompost) and
morphological assessing the porosity of soil and 500 gm of vermicompost of both group send
to laboratory for chemical analysis.

3. Statistics

χ 2 test was applied for survivorship of number of earthworm and used for testing of
association between drug treatment and experimental days (initial and last). The mass of the
control (untreated) group compared with values of the treated (ivermectin) group after
experimental period by „t‟ test in SPSS software.

Madhav N. Mugale, Dhanya Nair, Vikash S. Chauhan, Mansi Sachdeva, M.M.Gatne 1356
International Journal of Environmental Sciences Volume 3 No.5, 2013
 Preliminary observations on the vermicompost made from Faecal Pellets of Ivermectin treated goats

4. Results

Growth of earthworms was assessed on the basis of three separate parameters. The first
parameter was assessed by counting the total number of earthworms in the treated as well as
untreated group and weight of earthworm. Counting was carried out manually. Earthworms
were counted on the basis of their level of morphological growth i.e small, medium and large.

Table 1:
Group small medium large Total

Ivermectin 81 41 260 382

treated
Ivermectin 63 82 222 367
untreated

Table 2:
Mean growth rate, number and mass when first fully clitellated and mortality of E. fetida fed
on pellet from untreated goat (control) or from ivermectin treated goat.

Drug Growth rate Initial day earthworm Last day earthworm Dead
treatment mg/ day

Number Weight
Number Weight
without 32.57 200±2 701±5 g 367±5 1368 ±5 g 5
Ivermectin
with 32.66 200 ±2 700±5 g 382±5 1372 ±5 g 2
Ivermecitin

The initial mean mass of earthworm in the control (untreated) and ivermectin treated group
was observed. There were no significant differences between groups (P > 0.05).

Third parameter was assessed by manually counting the number of cocoons/ 600 gm of
vemicompost from eight different places of wooden box in both the groups. Eight
representative vermicompost samples of weighing 100 gms were collected from different
areas each group. Chi-square analysis for testing association between treatment and days
were found insignificant (P > 0.05), so it may conclude that there was no association between
treatment and days.

Table 3:
Group Sample Sample Sample Sample Sampl Sample Total number
e of coccons/
600 gms of
vermicompost
No. Of 1 2 3 4 5 6
sample

Madhav N. Mugale, Dhanya Nair, Vikash S. Chauhan, Mansi Sachdeva, M.M.Gatne 1357
International Journal of Environmental Sciences Volume 3 No.5, 2013
 Preliminary observations on the vermicompost made from Faecal Pellets of Ivermectin treated goats

wooden Bottom middle surface

box
sampling
portion
level
Ivermectin 8 7 12 14 7 16 64
treated
Ivermectin 12 14 6 6 12 18 68
untreated

The assessment of above the parameters indicates insignificant difference in the two group, in
total no. of earthworm, total weight of earthworm, and number cocoons/ 600 gm of
vermicompost sample from each group, but visual differences were observed in the quality of
vermicompost in treated and untreated group.

The time required for the formation of vermicompost is considered to be eight weeks and also
normal time required for formation of vermicompost from pellets obtained from treated group
was observed to be more than that of untreated group. Minimum decomposition of pellet was
observed in treated groups (Madsen et al 1988).

Chemical analysis of vermicompost was done. It normally consist of 13 element. Classifide

as a major and minor component. Major (Nitrogen, Potassium and Phosphoros), and
secondary (calcium, magnesium, sulphur) components. After 8 weeks sample of vermicopst
was analysed and tested at Punjab agriculture research soil analysis laboratory, Ludhiana.

Table 4:
Component Vermicompost prepared Vermicompost produced
from normal voided pellet from ivermectin treated
group
Organic Carbon 4.46% 3.94%
PH 7.7 7.2
Nitrogen 0.37% 0.31%
Phosporos (P2O5) 1.47% 0.89%
Potassium (K2O) 0.77% 0.70%
Calcium (CaO) 1.03 0.91
Magnesium (MgO) 0.96% 0.89%
Moisture 11.6 21.5
Sulphur 0.53% 0.54%
C-N ration 12.05 12.70

By chemical analysis of vermicopmost results shows vermicopost of untreated group superior

than the vemicopost of treated group. There was lesser availability of N:P : K in treated group
maybe due effect of ivermectin on these element or unavailability of these element due to
delayed decomposition rate. Vermicompost contains major and minor element element,
enzymes, vitamins, and growth hormone. It has more beneficial impact than normal compost
and normal wastage of animal (Gajlakshmi and Abbasi 2004). Flies and beetles were not
observed in the treated compost but where present in the vermicompost formed from
untreated group indicating that there might be some adverse effect on dung beetle when
ivermectin is excreated in faeces of treated animals.

5. Discussion
Madhav N. Mugale, Dhanya Nair, Vikash S. Chauhan, Mansi Sachdeva, M.M.Gatne 1358
International Journal of Environmental Sciences Volume 3 No.5, 2013
 Preliminary observations on the vermicompost made from Faecal Pellets of Ivermectin treated goats

There was no direct toxic effect of either ivermectin or their metabolites in goat pellet on
earthworms. The mean age and weight when the worms reached maturity were unaffected
(Table 2). Similar observation noted by Butt et al 1994, suggesting that our rearing conditions
were close to optimal. Madsen et al 1990, reported that neither ivermectin nor fenbendazole
have any adverse effects on the survival or growth rates of L. terrestris, he also found that no
effect on the weight of Aporrectodea longa and A. tuberculata fed on dung from cattle treated
with a range of anthelmintics, including ivermectin and fenbendazole, under semi-field
conditions. During preparation of vermicompost in ivermectin treated groups, nitrogen loss or
denitrification is indispensible phenomenons that affect quality of vemicompost (Borah et al
2006). The discussion on the possible enviormental effects of ivermecitin has so focused
mainly on cattle dung and its fauna (Roncalli 1989). There are strong controversies
concerning the degree of impact ivermectin may have on posture and ecolology (Forbes
1996). The impact of ivermectin on dung, dung insects, probable ranges from negligible to
catastrophic depending on factors like manner of administration, time of year and reaction
frequency (Sherratt et al 1998). Chemical analysis of faeces from reindeer treated with a
standard dose of ivermecitin revealed that the ivermecitin delivered through faeces peaked
approximately on day four after reaction concentration decreases rapidly but was still
measurable on day 30 after reaction. Gunn and Sadd found a similar response of E. fetida at
ivermectin concentrations up to 8 mg kg–1 soil, but reported reduced earthworm growth and
increased mortality at higher drug concentrations. Halley et al 1989 “a” found no correlation
between ivermectin concentrations in soil and weight changes in E. fetida, but observed
increased mortality at concentrations higher than 25 mg ivermectin kg–1 soil by direct
pouring. Laboratory studies suggest that residues of up to 25 ppm ivermectin in dung are
unlikely to have anysignificant detrimental effect on earthworm populations (Halley et al
1989 “a”). The highest level of ivermectin in dung from cattle treated with an ivermectin
based pour-on formulation has been reported at 17.5ppm dry matter at two days after
treatment (Herd et al 1996). Herd et al 1995 found that ivermecitin concentration of 0.4-0.5
mg/kg dung (wet mass) from cows (weighing approximately 400kg) treated with similar
sustained release ivermecitin boluses and more than 80% of daily bolus release of ivermecitin
was excreted in dung. Ivermectin and their metabolites in goat pellet have no adverse effect
on the survival and growth of earthworm in laboratory.

Acknowledgements

The authors are highly thankful to owner of Jai Ambica intensive Goat farming Kadadora,
Maharashtra and Dean of Bombay Veterinary College, Parel, Mumbai and Dean of Punjab
Agriculture University, Ludhiana, for providing necessary infrastructure and guidance for the
study.

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Madhav N. Mugale, Dhanya Nair, Vikash S. Chauhan, Mansi Sachdeva, M.M.Gatne 1361
International Journal of Environmental Sciences Volume 3 No.5, 2013

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