Twenty-four male Friesian calves reared from birth in a tie-stall
barn and undergoing weekly sprayings with deltametrine (Butox,
Quimio) to prevent tick and fly bites were used.
Before the beginning of the experiment, blood samples of
calves were collected weekly for a blood smear-based detection of
A. marginale using Giemsa staining and packed cell volumes (PCVs)
were determined by microhematocrit technique. Anti-A. marginale,
anti-Babesia bovis and anti-B. bigemina antibodies were detected
using indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) to ensure that the
study calves were not infected with hemoparasites.