Effect of Trypanosoma congolense infection on pyruvate concentration in serum of Yankassa sheep

The study involved the evaluation of the effect of T congolense infection on pyruvate concentration in the serum of Yankassa sheep. Three groups of six sheep each were used; groups A and B were experimentally infected with T congolense. Animals in group A were treated with Diminazene aceturate after first peak of parasitaemia but group B animals were left untreated. Sera of infected and uninfected control sheep were analyzed using DNS method to determine pyruvate and its concentrations. Group B animals which were not treated had mean values which were lower compared to that of group A (post treatment) and the control. Mean values of 72.4-25.7 g L-1, 79.6-5.2 g L-1 for groups A and B respectively were significantly different (p<0.0001) and indicative that the presence of parasites might have enhanced depletion of the pyruvate in the plasma. However, the cause of pyruvate depletion which occurred when the trypanosome parasites were in general circulation needs further investigations.