Weight of the Spleen, Adrenals and Gonads during a Chronic Trypanosoma brucei gambiense Infection of Laboratory-reared Microtus montanus

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Abstract
Splenomegaly occurs when male M. montanus are infected with T. brucei gambiense. There is a statistically significant increase in adrenal weights and a decrease in gonad size. The importance of the spleen in immunity to a trypanosome infection was documented by showing that splenectomy leads to a greatly decreased survival time. Other forms of stress can influence spleen size but not to the same degree as a trypanosome infection. The relationship between the size of the spleen and adrenals is discussed. Parasite stress could probably be distinguished from other forms of stress in natural populations of Microtus. Large adrenals-small spleen could mean nonparasite stress; large adrenals-large spleen could be caused by parasite stress. The reduced gonadal weight and increased spleen weight are discussed in relation to reproductive potential and population density.