The Influence of Different Levels of Dietary Energy on Lymphocyte Proliferation in Trypanosoma congolense Infected West African Dwarf Goats

2 Abstract: West African Dwarf (WAD) goats were placed on three different levels of dietary energy (A1 = low; B1 = medium; C1 = high) and subsequently infected with a virulent strain of Trypanosoma congolense (Tc). The influence of these three different levels of dietary energy on parasitaemia and lymphocyte proliferation were evaluated up to 5 weeks post infection (p. i). The respective high levels of parasitaemia and lymphocyte proliferations were significant (P BI > AI, while unstimulated control cells maintained uniform response over a 72-hour period. Increased dietary energy intake in goats increased their tolerance to Tc infection vis-a-vis increased stimulated lymphocyte. It is recommended that dietary energy along with other nutrients be adequately provided for goats to reduce clinical effects of trypanosomosis.