A comparative study on the susceptibility of male and female albino mice to Trypanosoma brucei brucei

Abstract

Background & objectives: Trypanosomiasis has remained a major set-back in the development oflivestock farming in tropical Africa. Thus the need for ascertaining the trypanotolerant levels ofdomestic animal breeds and possible improvement on them cannot be over-emphasised.Methods: Level of trypanotolerance in animals was compared between sexes using albino mice infectedwith a Nigerian strain of Trypanosoma brucei brucei at a 50% mouse lethal dose (MLD50).Results: The male mice showed unrestrained parasite growth with a prepatent period (PP) of two daysand a mean survival period (MSP) of six days corresponding to a gradual decrease in packed cellvolume (PCV), body weight, diet response and white blood cells (WBC) count to the time of death.Their female counterparts showed a PP of three days and MSP of ten days with a similar PCV gradientbut a refractory WBC count. There was no significant difference in the differential leucocytes countin both sexes. However, the eosinophils count was significantly higher in the infected animals. It wasfound that female albino mice exercised more parasite restraint than their male counterparts.Interpretation & conclusion: The result suggests that the female animals may be more trypanotoleranthence may be more useful in protein production in trypanosomiasis endemic areas. However, furtherresearch using large domestic breeds like goats and sheep may be required to confirm the hypothesis.

Keywords

• Albino mice
• comparative study
• endemicity
• sex
• trypanotolerance