Fertility of the small East African goat following pre-pubertal infection with Trypanosoma congolense.

Abstract

22 female and 20 male goats were infected with T. congolense, then treated with isometamidium chloride 5 or 7 weeks after infection. The goats were aged about 15 months at the time of treatment. Progesterone or testosterone was measured 3 times a week until puberty or until 18 months of age, when they were killed for histological examination of genital and endocrine organs. In comparison with 20 uninfected goats, trypanosomiasis reduced body weight gain and delayed the onset of puberty. Pathological changes in the gonads were evidently prevented by early trypanocidal treatment.