Preliminary assessment of bovine trypanosomiasis and its vectors in Santa, Bali and Bafut Sub-Divisions of the, North West Region, Cameroon

A cross-sectional study involving a questionnaire, parasitological examination of cattle and entomological prospection were conducted in the Mezam Division of Cameroon from December 2013 to May 2014 in two seasons for the first time. The objectives were to determine the prevalence of bovine trypanosomiais and its vectors. Peasant farmers ﴾n=95﴿ were interviewed. Standard protocols for parasitological, hematocrit analysis as well as trypanosome identification were used. Acetone baited blue biconical traps ﴾n=5﴿ were used for entomological survey. Questionnaire survey revealed that trypanosomiasis was one of the major health problems affecting animals and a hindrance to agricultural activities. The overall prevalence was 10.3% ﴾31/301﴿. Trypanosome species identified consisted of: T. vivax (58.1%), T. brucei (25.8%), T. congolense (9.6%) and a mix infection (Trypanosoma congolense + Trypanosoma vivax) (6.5%). Vector survey revealed highest fly catch in Bafut subdivision as compared to others with a significant difference ﴾P<0.05﴿. Fly types recorded included: Tabanus 125 (71.4%), Stomoxys 31 (17.7%) and Glossina morsitans submorsitans 19 (10.9%). The overall Apparent Density (AD) was 1.53 fly per trap per day (f/t/d). Therefore, vector transmission and impact of the disease on production is alarming and should not be neglected. Control strategies have to be designed and implemented in Mezam Division in order to eradicate trypanosomiasis and its vectors.© 2016 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved.Keywords: Cattle, trypanosomiasis, Glossina, prevalence, Bafu

Path integrals approach to resisitivity anomalies in anharmonic systems

Different classes of physical systems with sizeable electron-phonon coupling and lattice distortions present anomalous resistivity behaviors versus temperature. We study a molecular lattice Hamiltonian in which polaronic charge carriers interact with non linear potentials provided by local atomic fluctuations between two equilibrium sites. We study a molecular lattice Hamiltonian in which polaronic charge carriers interact with non linear potentials provided by local atomic fluctuations between two equilibrium sites. A path integral model is developed to select the class of atomic oscillations which mainly contributes to the partition function and the electrical resistivity is computed in a number of representative cases. We argue that the common origin of the observed resistivity anomalies lies in the time retarded nature of the polaronic interactions in the local structural instabilities.Comment: 4 figures, to appear in Phys.Rev.B, May 1st (2001

Pig-farming systems and porcine cysticercosis in the north of Cameroon

A survey was conducted in 150 households owning 1756 pigs in the rural areas of Mayo-Danay division in the north of Cameroon. A questionnaire survey was carried out to collect information on the pig-farming system and to identify potential risk factors for Taenia solium cysticercosis infection in pigs. Blood samples were collected from 398 pigs with the aim of estimating the seroprevalence of T. solium cysticercosis. The results showed that 90.7% of the pigs are free roaming during the dry season and that 42.7% of households keeping pigs in the rural areas have no latrine facility. Seventy-six per cent of the interviewed pig owners confirmed that members of the household used open-field defecation. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for antigen and antibody detection showed an apparent prevalence of cysticercosis of 24.6% and 32.2%, respectively. A Bayesian approach, using the conditional dependence between the two diagnostic tests, indicated that the true seroprevalence of cysticercosis in Mayo-Danay was 26.6%. Binary logistic regression analysis indicated that a lack of knowledge of the taeniasis–cysticercosis complex and the absence of a pig pen in the household were associated with pig cysticercosis

Pathological study of female reproductive organs of local zebus in Adamawa Region

Genital tracts of female zebus (n=501) collected from Ngaoundere Municipal Slaughterhouse (NMSH) were examined with respect to breed, age, body condition score (BCS) and physiological status. Out of these specimens, the pregnancy rate was 20.4%. A total of 292 (58.28%) specimens had abnormalities. Maximum pathological conditions were observed in the ovaries (39.6%), followed by those in the uterus (15.4%), oviduct (2.8%) and vulvo-vagina (0.6%). Pathological conditions observed in the ovaries included anoestrus (25.2%), repeat breeding (8.4%), ovarian cysts (3.8%), double and multiple ovulation (1.2%), oophoritis (0.4%), ovarobursal adhesions (0.4%) and ovarian abscess (0.2%) whereas, those in the uterus included mucometra (7.8%), metritis (5.6%), hydrometra (1.6%) and lymphosarcoma (0.4%). Oviduct abnormalities include parovarian cysts (1.4), hydrosalpinx (0.6), lymphosarcoma (0.4), salpingitis (0.2%) and double oviduct (0.2). A total of 54 female zebus (10.78%) had at least two abnormalities. The ovarian cystanoestrus (3.39%), mucometra - anoestrus (2.20%) and metritis - anoestrus (1.20%) associations were the most observed. The thin cows (body condition score 1-2) aged 4 to 8 years old were more predisposed to genital pathologies. Results of this study indicated that lesions of the female reproductive system represent a significant source of infertility.Keywords: zebu, ovaries, oviducts, uterus, abnormalities, Adamaw

Ruminants gonads as accessory sources of pregnancy specific protein ?

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Evaluation of bovine (Bos indicus) ovarian potential for in vitro embryo production in the Adamawa plateau (Cameroon)

An abattoir study was conducted to evaluate the ovarian potential of 201 local zebu cattle from Ngaoundere, Adamawa region (Cameroon) for in vitro embryo production (IVEP). The ovaries were excised, submerged in normal saline solution (0.9%) and transported to the laboratory for a detailed evaluation. Follicles on each ovary were counted, their diameters (Φ) measured and were grouped into 3 categories: small (Φ < 3 mm), medium (3 ≥ Φ ≤ 8 mm) and large (Φ > 8 mm). Each ovary was then sliced into a petri dish; the oocytes were recovered in Dulbecco’s phosphate buffered saline, examined under a stereoscope (x10) and graded into four groups based on the morphology of cumulus oophorus cells and cytoplasmic changes of the oocytes. Grade I (GI): oocytes with more than 4 layers of bunch of compact cumulus cells mass with evenly granulated cytoplasm; grade II (GII): oocyte with at least 2-4 layers of compact cumulus cell mass with evenly granulated cytoplasm; grade III (GIII): oocyte with at least one layer of compact cumulus cell mass with evenly granulated cytoplasm; grade IV (GIV): denuded oocyte with no cumulus cells or incomplete layer of cumulus cell or expanded cells and having dark or unevenly granulated cytoplasm. The effects of both ovarian (ovarian localization, corpus luteum, size and weight of ovary) and non-ovarian factors (breed, age, body condition score (BCS) and pregnancy status of cow) on the follicular population and oocyte recovery rate were determined. There were an average of 16.75±0.83 follicles per ovary. The small, medium and large follicles were 8.39±0.60, 8.14±0.43 and 0.21±0.02 respectively. Oocyte recovery was 10.97±0.43 per ovary (65%). Oocytes graded I, II, III and IV were 3.53±0.19 (32.21%), 2.72±0.15 (24.82%), 2.24±0.15 (20.43%) and 2.47±0.20 (22.54%) respectively. The oocyte quality index was 2.26. Younger non pregnant cows having BCS of 3 and large ovaries presented higher number of follicles and oocyte quality (P < 0.05) compared with other animals. Oocytes with quality (grade I and II) acceptable for IVEP constituted 57.15% of the harvest. This study indicated that factors such as age, pregnancy status, BCS and ovarian size must be taken into account to increase the potential of the ovary for IVEP

Molecular cloning of pregnancy-associated glycoproteins from cattle and sheep: identity with the aspartate protease family.

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Profil métabolique des vaches zébus (Bos indicus) kystiques ou en anoestrus anovulaires

This study was carried out in the Adamawa region (Cameroon) with the main objective to evaluate the metabolic profile of zebu cows, cystic or in anovular anestrus and subsequently to propose a tool for diagnosing the risks of these pathologies. Thus, 53 zebu cows (20 cystic and 33 in anovular anestrus) were chosen and the blood obtained was centrifuged (3000 g, 10 min, 4°C) to obtain the serum. Serum concentrations of glucose, total cholesterol, albumin, total proteins, urea, calcium and phosphorus were quantified by spectrophotometry at a wavelength ranging from 340 to 630 nm based on the parameter tested. The metabolic profile of cows in anovular anestrus was characterized by low serum levels of glucose (&lt; 2.6 mmol / L), total cholesterol (&lt; 2.3 mmol / L), urea (&lt; 3.8 mmol / L), calcium (&lt; 2.2 mmol / L) and phosphorus (&lt; 1.05 mmol / L); high serum levels of total proteins (&gt; 80 g / L) and total globulins (&gt; 45.5 g / L); and normal albumin (27.7-40.4 g / L) with an average Body Condition Score (BCS) of 3. The metabolic profile of cystic cows differed from that of anovular anestrus only by normal total cholesterol level between 2.3 and 6 mmol/L and high urea (&gt; 6.5 mmol /L). These findings could be used for the diagnosis and treatment of these pathologies. Keywords: Zebu, metabolic profile, ovarian cysts, anovular anestrus, Ngaoundere, Cameroon.Cette étude a été réalisée dans la région de l’Adamaoua (Cameroun) avec pour principal objectif d’évaluer le profil métabolique des vaches zébus présentant des kystes ovariens ou des anœstrus anovulaires afin de proposer un outil de diagnostic des risques de ces pathologies. Ainsi, 53 vaches zébus (20 kystiques et 33 en anœstrus anovulaires) ont été prélevées et le sang obtenu a été centrifugé (3000 g, 10 min, 4°C) pour l’obtention du sérum. Les concentrations sériques de glucose, cholestérol total, albumine, protéines totales, urée, calcium et phosphore ont été quantifiées par spectrophotométrie à une longueur d’onde variant de 340 à 630 nm selon le paramètre testé. Il en ressort que le profil métabolique des vaches présentant un anestrus anovulaire était caractérisé par des concentrations sériques faibles en glucose (&lt; 2,6 mmol/l), cholestérol (&lt; 2,3 mmol/l), urée (&lt; 3,8 mmol/l), calcium (&lt; 2,2 mmol/l) et phosphore (&lt; 1,05 mmol/l); élevées en protéines totales (&gt; 80 g/l) et globulines totales (&gt; 45,5 g/l); normale (27,7- 40,4 g/l) en albumine avec une Note d’État Corporel (NEC) moyenne (3). Le profil métabolique des vaches kystiques ne diffère de celui des anœstrus anovulaires que par une cholestérolémie normale (2,3-6 mmol/l) et une urémie élevée (&gt; 6,5 mmol/l). Ces résultats pourraient constituer un outil de diagnostic ou de traitement de ces pathologies. Mots-clés: Zébu, profil métabolique, kystes ovariens, anoestrus anovulaires, Ngaoundéré, Cameroun

Isolement, purification et caractérisation d'une glycoprotéine placentaire bovine: mise au point d'un dosage radioimmunologique sensible et spécifique.

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Enzyme link immuno assay for early detection of pregnancy associated glycoprotein’s in African dwarf goat

peer reviewedA pregnancy test based on detection of the goat pregnancy associated glycoprotein (caPAG) by the ELISA method was designed and carried out on serum from slaughtered goats. The objective of the study was to describe the ability of this test to detect pregnancy associated glycoprotein and also their ability to discriminate between pregnant and non-pregnant females of African dwarf goats. The test was evaluated and compared to a post-mortem clinical pregnancy examination. In order to perform the test, rabbits were immunized with caPAG initially purified from cotyledons collected from pregnant goat. The antibodies obtained were biotinylated, titrated, and used in a “Sandwich” ELISA to detect caPAG in goats sera. Blood samples as well as informations related to each animal (pregnancy status, gestational stage, presence of corpus luteum or milk) were collected on 506 slaughtered goats, and the sera obtained were tested for the presence of caPAG. The ELISA test results obtained from the 506 goats were different from those of the clinical examination, with 226 (44.7 %) seropositives against 221 (43.7 %) gestation with clinical diagnostic. The serological test results showed a few number of false positives 34 (6.7 %) and false negatives 39 (7.7 %). Indeed, nearly all the false negatives were female of less than 28 days of gestation. The entire false positive female had corpus luteum but 7 of them (18%) had also milk in the mammary gland. The sensitivity and the specificity of the test are respectively 84.6 and 86.3 %. The accuracy of the test is 87.8 %. These results showed that the sensitivity and specificity of the test depends on the stage of gestation. PAG “sandwich” ELISA could then be suitable for pregnancy diagnosis in African dwarf goat as early as from day 28 after insemination