Experimental Trypanosoma brucei infection at immediate post partum period:effects on dam and the offspring

Objective:To investigate the effects of immediate post-partum infection with Trypanosoma brucei(T.brucei) on dam and offspring.Methods:Sixty female Albino rats(Rattus norvegicus) weighing between 130-170 g were used as animal model.The animals were divided as follows: 25 infected between 1-5 days post partum;10 infected unbred as positive controls;and 25 uninfected as negative controls.The following parameters were evaluated:packed cell volume (PCV),level of parasitaemia,survival time,litter size and litter weight at birth and on days 7, 14 and 21 post delivery,using conventional methods.Possible trans-mammary transmission of infection to litter through milk was also assessed.Results:The results showed a comparatively (P<0.05) higher mean PCV value for the uninfected negative control on the 8 day post infection compared with the infected groups which corresponded with the increasing level of parasitaemia in the two infected groups.Mean litter size and litter weights were higher(P<0.05) in the uninfected controls on the 21stday.Survival time in the infected groups were similar.No evidence of trans-mammary transfer of infection was recorded.Conclusion:T.brucei infection during immediate post partum period is detrimental to the dam and impairs growth of the offspring.