THE EFFECT OF TRYPANOSOMOSIS ON PLASMA PROTEIN LEVELS IN INDIGENOUS CATTLE

Abstract

A field survey involving 180 adult white Fulani cattle was carried out in the Guinea Savannah and Derived Savannah vegetational zones of South Western Nigeria to determine the effect of natural trypanosomal infection on plasma protein levels. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent examination were used as diagnostic indices. The results showed a prevalence of 36.7% mixed infection in the animals sampled. It was also observed that the albumin level was lowered, globulin level increased and the total protein level was slightly on the increase. Trypanosomal infection in this study therefore affects the concentration of total and differential plasma protein levels in indigenous cattle.