Serum Biochemical and Hormonal Response Patterns to Endo- and Ectoparasite Co-Infection in Cattle in Benue State, North Central Nigeria

Co-infection with endoparasites and ectoparasites imposes compounded physiological stresses on cattle, yet the combined biochemical and hormonal response patterns in naturally co-infected animals have not been analytically investigated in the North Central Nigerian context. This study characterised serum biochemical and hormonal response patterns in Zebu cattle with confirmed co-infection versus single-parasite infection in Benue State, North Central Nigeria. One hundred and twenty cattle were classified into four groups based on parasitological examination: gastrointestinal helminth-only infection, tick-only infestation, co-infected, and non-parasitised control. Serum cortisol, insulin-like growth factor-1, thyroid hormones, non-esterified fatty acids, albumin, haptoglobin, and haematological indices were measured. Co-infected cattle demonstrated the most severe biochemical disruption, with significantly lower albumin and insulin-like growth factor-1 and higher cortisol, haptoglobin, and non-esterified fatty acid concentrations compared to all other groups. Haematological anaemia was most pronounced in co-infected animals. The combined burden resulted in an additive, non-synergistic depression of productive parameters including body weight gain. Triiodothyronine was significantly lower in co-infected than single-infected cattle, suggesting greater metabolic depression. These findings provide empirical analytical evidence of compounded physiological burden in co-infected cattle and support integrated parasite management strategies that simultaneously address endo- and ectoparasites as the most cost-effective approach in Benue State cattle systems. Keywords: co-infection, helminth, ticks, cortisol, cattle, Benue State.