Abstract

Aim: The study was designed to determine the effect of Trypanosoma congolense on the genital and endocrine organs of West African Dwarf (WAD) ewes.

Methods: Ten WAD ewes obtained for the study were divided into two groups comprising 5ewes each. Group A was infected with Trypanosoma congolense, while group B was uninfected and allowed to run for eight weeks. At the end of the study period, three infected and two control ewes were sacrificed. The weights of the ovaries were determined and sections taken for histopathological examination. Sample sections from other parts of the reproductive tract, brain, pituitary gland, and hypothalamus were also taken.

Results: The mean ovarian weight, number of follicles and number of corpera lutea of the infected ewes decreased compared to the control ewes but were not statistically significant (p> 0.05). No parasites were seen following impression smears conducted on the ovaries.

However, there were slight areas of necrosis and mild degeneration of the ovarian stroma.

These were absent in the control ewes. No detectable gross lesions were seen in the adenohypophysis of both the infected and control ewe, although slight areas of focal necrosis were seen at histology. There were no detectable gross and histological lesions in the uterus, cervix, vagina, brain and hypothalamus of both infected and control ewes.

Conclusion: The findings from this study are of great importance for the economic exploitation of WAD sheep in tsetse infected area.

Keywords: Adenohypophysis, Ovaries, Trypanosoma congolense, WAD Ewe.