The effect of l-thyroxine on the anaemia response in Trypanosoma congolense infected rabbits

Abstract

The development of anaemia is a major pathological manifestation in chronic trypanosomosis. The anaemia in African trypanosomosis coincides with a marked decrease in plasma concentration of both thyroxine (T 4) and 3, 5, 3′ triidothyronine (T 3). To evaluate the effect of trypanosome-induced hypothyroidism on the development of anaemia, sexually mature white New Zealand rabbits were used. Three groups were set up, each of ten rabbits: one group was infected with Trypanosoma congolense; the second group was infected but given replacement doses of thyroxine (treated); the third group was not infected. Small volumes of blood were collected for the determination of parasitaemia and packed cell volume (PCV). The concentrations of T 3 and T 4 were measured in plasma by radioimmunoassay. The decrease in PCV correlated closely (y=− 0.38x+ 15.2; r= 0.82, P …