BackgroundTrypanosomiasis is a disease caused by Trypanosoma (Dutonella) vivax, a hemoprotozoa that can affect bovines. In South America, the sanguineous form is mechanically transmitted from one mammalian host (ruminant) to another by the bite of a blood-sucking insect or by needles contaminated with infected blood. The negative impact of the parasitosis caused by T. vivax infection on the reproductive activity of male and female ruminants is known to reduce fertility. In males, alterations such as degeneration, diffuse or interlobular inflammatory infiltrate found in ovine and bovine testicles, can affect fertility through decreased sperm quality. This study evaluated the impact of natural infection with T. vivax on Zebu bulls from the Central Station of Artificial Insemination (CSAI) with regard to libido and the negative effects caused by this protozoan on semen quality.MethodsBlood samples of 44 animals were collected to evaluate the presence of the trypomastigote form of T. vivax in blood smears obtained from hematocrit and buffy coat, and antibody titer IgG anti T. vivax in indirect Immunoflorescence (IFI). Furthermore, data related to libido, ejaculate volume, spermatic concentration, and seminal vigor were recorded for these animals employing the criteria of the CSAI.ResultsNine animals (20.45 %) showed T. vivax trypomastigotes and parasitemia between 0.02 and 0.07, and antibody titers from 1:80 to 1:320 in IFI. Twenty nine negative animals in parasitological tests were not reactive in IFI, and six animals presented the antibodies IgG anti T. vivax in IFI. Data on reproductive activity showed that animals infected with T. vivax have a decreased libido and an increased spermatic volume, whereas other factors related to the reproductive process such as spermatic concentration, motility and spermatic force, were unchanged in infected bulls.ConclusionsThe T. vivax infection in Zebu bulls from CSAI caused patent parasitemia, induced a febrile state, promoted reduction in the libido and increased the ejaculate volume. These conditions together may account to decrease the performance of these animals.
Trypanosoma vivax is a protozoan that causes Bovine tripanosomiasys. Originally from Africa, the disease has become common in other countries. Bovine trypanosomiasis is a disease underdiagnosed in many parts of the world, including Brazil. The lack of knowledge regarding this protozoan is a factor that contributes to the rapid spread of the disease. Many losses are attributed to the disease, including death of animals. This study aimed to perform a retrospective investigation of cattle with T. vivax that had blood samples forwarded to Veterinary Hospital of Uberaba-Brazil by performing the Buffy coat technique. The collected data showed that in 285 suspected animals, that had samples submitted to Hospital Veterinário de Uberaba, 17.54% were positive. Separating in gender, females had 22.37% of positivity rate and males 2.13%, which is explained by the handling of the animals where handlers are able to see signs of the disease and decreased milk production, besides the use of the same needle for oxytocin application before milking that spreads the disease for many animals in a short period of time. The biggest prevalence among ages was seen in animals between 1 to 12 months (35% of positivity) and 12 to 24 months of age (61.64% of positivity), possibly because of the immune system development, younger animals do not have immunity to the disease. The breed that most showed positivity was Holstein dairy breed (100%). The opportune diagnosis of T. vivax is an important finding since the disease leads to large losses in cattle ranching and prejudices the economic system.
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