Comparison of the prevalence of trypanosomal infection in indigenous cattle in the Guinea and Derived Savannah Vegetational Zones of South-Western Nigeria.

Résumé

wo hundred and two blood samples from White Fulani breed of cattle, comprising 130 from the Guinea Savannah and 72 from the derived Savannah vegetational zones of South-Western Nigeria were examined for presence of trypanosomes. These animals were reared under the nomadic system of management such that they were constantly exposed to tsetse bite both during the day and night The results of this analysis showed that the prevalence of trypanosomal infection in the Derived Savannah and Guinea Savannah vegetational zones were 45.8% and 27.5 % respectively. Though the incidence of trypanosomal infection is less in the Guinea Savannah vegetational zone reluta to the Derived Savannah, livestock production during the dry season is severely limited due to inadequate pasture at this time of the year.