The effect of Garlium GEM HC as a tick repellent agent in springbok(Antidorcas marsupialis)

Abstract

Garlic is one of the most popular edible plants in the world that has shown to have anti-microbial properties against bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoa. Garliumâ GEM HC is a product that contains garlic together with other Allium compounds. This in vivo study with 24 springboks (Antidorcas marsupialis) aimed to investigate the repellant effects of Garliumâ GEM HC on immature stages of red legged ticks (Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi). Engorged females of R. e. evertsi were collected from naturally infested domestic ruminants and were allowed to lay eggs under laboratory conditions. A representative sample of eggs have been counted and weighed. The equivalent weight of eggs represented approximately 250 larvae. They were aliquoted into separate micro-centrifuge tubes waiting for them to hatch. The hatched larvae were used to infest ears of juvenile male springbok during the study. The garlic group (GG) had an average consumption of 0.985 kg of total mix ration (TMR) containing a proportion amount of 1.36 g of Garliumâ GEM HC per animal per day. Garliumâ GEM HC was fed for 7 days before a total number of 250 larvae of R. e. evertsi were introduced per ear bag (i.e. 500 ticks in total per animal). Ear bags were then removed after a seventeen day period. Remaining attached ticks were then collected, counted and weighed. Results show that the Garliumâ GEM HC treated group had a clear repellent effect on red legged ticks. The control group (CG) had a tick load of 47% more compared to the GG. Although some studies have showed that ingestion of garlic during long periods could induce methemoglobinaemia. Haematological results showed in this trial found no significant differences between the GG and the CG during the 17 day trial period. Total ear cerumen (ear wax) secretion was found to be increased in the GG, where less ticks were found suggesting that garlic may play a role in increasing cerumen production / secretion. This finding could imply a possible physiological effect of Garliumâ GEM HC to reduce tick load in springbok.