Histopathological changes in some reproductive and endocrine organs of Trypanosoma brucei infected West African dwarf goat does

Abstract

Available information on the mechanisms responsible for some reproductive lesions observed in experimental trypanosomiasis has not been fully elucidated. This work was undertaken to further study the histopathologic effects of Trypanosoma brucei infection on hypothalamus, adenohypophysis, ovary, uterus, placenta of the West African dwarf (WAD) doe and liver of aborted foetuses. Sixteen does (10 infected and 6 controls) and 3 foetuses from infected does were used for this study. Reproductive and endocrine organs from the does and livers of aborted foetuses were routinely processed for histopathology and studied using light microscopy. Findings revealed degenerative and inflammatory lesions which include hypothalamitis, adenohypophysitis, endometritis, placentitis as well as vacuolar change and cord atrophy in foetal liver. We conclude that experimental T. brucei infection caused significant histopathologies in the hypothalamus, adenohypophysis, uterus, placenta and foetal liver and that these lesions may underline the etiopathogenesis of infertility in trypanosome-infected WAD goat does.