TRYPANOTOLERANCE IN BREEDS OF SHEEP AND GOATS WITH AN EXPERIMENTAL-INFECTION OF TRYPANOSOMA-CONGOLENSE

A study to determine the susceptibility of various breeds of small ruminants to an experimental Trypanosoma congolense infection indicated that indigenous sheep and goats showed a greater innate tolerance to the infection than exotic breeds, with exotic/indigenous cross-breeds intermediate between the two extremes. Clinical symptoms revealed a milder infection with a lower mortality in the trypanotolerant breeds in spite of a continued parasitaemia. The importance of these factors in the choice of breeds for selection programmes is discussed. © 1979.