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Veterinary Archives, Vol. 79 No. 5, 2009.

Original scientific paper

The effect of experimental Trypanosoma vivax infection on the thyroid gland in Zebu bulls

Muhammad Yakasai Fatihu ; Department of Veterinary Pathology and Microbiology, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
Sani Adamu ; Department of Veterinary Pathology and Microbiology, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
Najume Doguwar Giginya Ibrahim ; Department of Veterinary Pathology and Microbiology, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
Lawrence Oghenemin Eduvie ; National Animal Production Research Institute, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
King Akpofure Nelson Esievo ; Department of Veterinary Pathology and Microbiology, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria

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Abstract

Thyroid gland dysfunction was studied in Zebu cattle experimentally infected with Trypanosoma vivax, based on the levels of serum thyroxine (T4) and occurrence of pathological lesions at 13 weeks post infection (p.i.). There were statistically significant declines in the T4 levels in the infected group at 3 weeks p.i. (P<0.05), 6 weeks p.i. (P<0.01) and from 9 to 11 weeks p.i. (P<0.05); when compared to the normal T4 levels that were observed in the uninfected, control bulls throughout the period of study. The thyroid glands of both infected and control bulls showed no gross lesions and the mean weights were not statistically significant (P>0.05) between the groups. Histopathological lesions observed in the thyroid glands of the infected bulls were focal in occurrence and include; squamous metaplasia of follicular epithelium with fibroplasia and widened interfollicular connective tissue. The control bulls showed no histopathological lesions in the thyroid glands. It was concluded that thyroid gland dysfunction occurs in trypanosomosis due to T. vivax in cattle and it is suggested that this could contribute to the weakness associated with trypanosomosis.

Keywords

thyroid gland; dysfunction; Zebu cattle; Trypanosoma vivax

Hrčak ID:

45603

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/45603

Publication date:

26.10.2009.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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