Effect of Trypanosoma congolense infection on serum cobalt level in Yankassa sheep

Abstract

Eighteen (18) Yankassa sheep divided into three groups (A, B and C) of 6 animals each. Groups A and B animals were infected with 2ml x105 Trypanosoma congolense; group A was treated with Berenil® (Hoechst AG, Frankfurt, Germany) at first peak of parasitaemia, while group B animals were left untreated. Blood samples were taken once a week before infection and thereafter twice a week but for parasitaemic determination, it was done daily from the tip of the ears. In all groups, Cobalt (Co) was determined by the use of Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (UNICAM SOLAAR 32). The mean concentrations of Co fluctuated in the course of the experiment with slight decrease in the infected groups, but there was no significant difference (P>0.6553) with those of the control. This indicates that trypanosomosis in Yankassa sheep due to T. congolense has no effect on serum cobalt.