TRYPANOTOLERANCE - AN INDIVIDUAL NOT A BREED CHARACTER

  • 1 January 1983
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 40  (2) , 99-104
Abstract
Ten animals from a reputedly typanosensitive bovine breed, the Zebu, and 10 from a reputedly typanotolerant breed, the Baoule, were exposed to natural trypanosome challenge in an area of high Glossina density. The 10 Zebus and 5 of the Baoules died within 6 to 11 wk with heavy parasitaemia and severe anemia. The 5 other Baoules showed little or no parasitemia, no anemia and were all in good condition after wk of exposure; Seven animals of a herd of Baoule/Ndama crosses indigenous to the same area were followed concurrently and showed very rare or no patient parasitemia. Only some individuals within a trypanotolerant breed are able to withstand natural fly challenge. Selection of tyrpanotolerant animals has to be done on an individual basis and not on the biometrical characteristics of the breed.