Browsing by Author "Gwakisa, P. S."

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2

Genetic diversity among nine free range local chicken ecotypes in Tanzania based on microsatelliteDNA polymorphisms
(2008-06) Msoffe, P. L. M.; Mtambo, M. M. A.; Minga, U. M.; juul-Madsen, H. R.; Gwakisa, P. S.
The genetic diversity among nine free-range local chicken ecoivpes identified in Tanzania was evaluated using 20 polymorphic microsatelliies markers. The ecotypes were named Ching'toekuie, Mbeya, Morogoro-medium, Kuchi, Singamagazi, N'zenzegere, Pemba, Tunga, and Unguja. A manual microsatellite typing procedure was adopted. Of the 20 microsaielliie loci, 16 were amplified by PCR and were highly polymorphic. Four to 15 alleles per locus and four to seven alleles per ecotype were detected. Gene diversity was venj high (62 to 79%). The shortest genetic distance as measured by Nei's standard genetic distance (Ds) was between Kuchi and Unguja ecotypes (Ds distance = 0.0671) while the White Leghorn and Unguja ecotype (Ds distance= 0.9149) presented the longest genetic distance. A Neighbour-loining dendogram based on Ds distance showed the local chicken ecotypes to assort into three clusters. The bootstrapping values within the dendogram ranged from 41 to 98%. These results indicate that the free-range local chicken ecotypes to exist in different genetic groups. The accurate genetic typing of this animal genetic resource is important in making rational decisions on the utilisation of the chickens for economical use without compromising the conservation of each unique ecotype adapted to a particular eco-climaiic zone.
Tick burden and acquisition of immunity to Theileria parva by Tarime cattle in comparison to Sukuma cattle under different tick control regimes in the Lake Zone of Tanzania
(2016-03) Laisser, E. L. K.; Chenyambuga, S. W.; Karimuribo, E. D.; Msalya, G.; Kipanyula, M. J.; Mwilawa, A. J.; Mdegela, R. H.; Kusiluka, L. J. M.; Gwakisa, P. S.
This study was conducted to determine tick burden and immunological parameters of resistance to East Coast fever (ECF) in Tarime and Sukuma cattle. Tick load, packed cell volume (PCV), Theileria parva (T. parva) specific antibody percent positivity (PP), and prevalence of T. parva parasites were studied in relation to dipping regime, strains, and season. A total of 50 experimental cattle were included in this study. Tick load was determined by whole body counts, antibody percent positivity was determined by the polymorphic immunodominant molecule (PIM)-based T. parva enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and prevalence of T. parva parasites was detected by a nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based on the p104 gene. Dipping frequency on tick burden showed no statistically significant differences when cattle of either strain were dipped either once every 2 or 3 weeks in the dry and wet seasons. However, Tarime cattle had higher (p<0.05) tick count than Sukuma cattle and non dipped groups maintained high tick infestation throughout the experimental period. The PCV values were within the physiological range, although this parameter was lower in Tarime cattle (p<0.05). All cattle regardless of strain were seropositive, although Tarime cattle maintained higher PP compared to Sukuma by 15%. Conversely, the prevalence of T. parva parasites was lower in Tarime (38%) compared to Sukuma cattle (38.5%), but the difference was not significant (p>0.05). During the study period, 20% (5/25) of Sukuma cattle contracted ECF, but none of the Tarime cattle showed clinical signs for the disease. The differences between the two strains shown in terms of PP and T. parva parasite prevalence may indicate the ability of individual cattle to resist tick infestation and ECF infection under natural challenge. Higher antibody levels but lower parasite prevalence attained by Tarime cattle, suggests inherent ability of Tarime cattle to resist clinical development of ECF infection, but to remain as T. parva carriers.