Comparison of Organ Weights of Wild and Laboratory Microtus montanus infected with Trypanosoma brucei gambiense

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Abstract
A preliminary survey of male M. montanus trapped at Jackson Hole, Wyoming [USA] indicated that 100% of these animals harbored one or more endo- and/or ectoparasites. Spleen histology and differential white blood cell counts were consistent with the suggestion that these animals had persistent parasitic infections, which serve as a stimulus to the immune response. There was a high percentage of splenomegaly in these animals. Splenomegaly in M. montanus is caused by a parasitic infection, and may be used as a survey marker to determine the extent of parasitism in field populations. In adult males captured during a 3-yr period, there was a significant inverse relationship between spleen size and gonadal weights. Smaller gonads probably denote reduced reproductive potential. Parasitic infections, by reducing this potential, may have a greater effect on the control of population density than previously suggested. Other hypotheses on the mechanisms of population density control are discussed.

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