Effects of Trypanosoma congolense and nutritional supplements in Djallonké ewes on live weight during pregnancy, post partum weight, haematology parameters and lamb performance.

The effects of Trypanosoma congolense infection and nutritional supplements on live weight changes during pregnancy, haematology traits and offspring performance were studied in 42 Djallonké ewes. A randomised block design was used to allocate ewes to four treatment combinations, of which two were on a restricted diet (L) and the remainder on an unrestricted diet (H). Half of each nutritional group were infected with T congolense (LI, HI), the remainder serving as controls (LC, HC). The degree of anaemia following infection was similar in both infection groups (P<0.0001), but the erythropoietic activity, as judged by the increase in mean corpuscular volume, was significantly greater in the HI group (P<0.01). Live weight gains during pregnancy attributable to higher supplements were significantly depressed by infection (P<0.01). Post partum weight was lower in the LI group as compared with the LC control. Diet interacted significantly (P<0.01) with infection and resulted in the lowest lamb growth rates in the LI group. It was concluded that dietary supplementation of trypanosome-infected Djallonké ewes during pregnancy and lactation improves productivity in terms of ewe live weight and improved lamb growth rates to weaning.