Immunogenetics of Baoule taurine in Lobi area, Burkina Faso. I. Environment of this trypanotolerant population

Abstract

This study was made in 1 016 cattle of the Baoule taurine breed (Bos taurus) renowned for their trypanotolerance. Entomological, parasitological and immunological surveys were carried out to verify the levels of the tsetse fly and trypanosome challenge as well as their impact on this cattle in the different ecosystems encountered. Socio-economic, epidemiological, therapeutical and zootechnical data confirmed that this Baoule population was highly trypanotoresistant. This characteristic is genetically determined and proportionally maintained by the intensity of natural field pressure. Immunogenetic research was carried out within several systems, firstly to determine the genetic situation of this population (stabilized or not) and secondly to identify breed markers and/or markers that correlate with pathological and zootechnical data. Results from these studies will be published later.