Susceptibility of the Namchi and Kapsiki cattle of Cameroon to trypanosome infection.

Two indigenous Cameroonian taurine cattle breeds (Namchi and Kapsiki) were evaluated for trypanosusceptibility following inoculation with Trypanosoma congolense. The degree of zebu ancestry in the experimental animals was assessed using 6 microsatellite markers which are known to have certain unique alleles which are diagnostic of Bos indicus genetic input. Their response to the infection was compared to that of known trypanotolerant (N'Dama) and trypanosusceptible (Ngaoundere Gudali) cattle. The Namchi and the N'Dama controlled the development and severity of anaemia and parasitaemia better than the Kapsiki and the Gudali. For these parameters, there was no significant difference between the N'Dama and Namachi nor between the Kapsiki and Gudali. Similarly, weight loss showed significant breed variation. The N'Dama lost the least weight and the Kapsiki the most. Zebu introgression in the Namchi was comparable to that in the N'Dama while that of the Kapsiki breed was higher, indicating a high level of cross breeding. From the results, the Namchi are considered trypanotolerant while the Kapsiki are trypanosusceptible. The potential exploitation of the indigenous Namchi cattle is discussed.