Domestication of Cricetomys gambianus, Waterhouse (African Giant Rat), an important source of animal protein in the sub-Saharan rural communities, is on-going. However, there are no baseline data on the trace element profile of this rat, in health and in disease. Therefore, this study determined the sexual differences in the effect of Trypanosoma congolense infection on the levels of plasma and erythrocyte trace elements in the adult rats. Twenty rats were divided into four groups comprising of five rats each. The infected female (IF) and male (IM) groups received T. congolense (Bassa strain; 3.75 × 105 trypanosomes/ml/rat), intraperitoneally, while the control groups (CF and CM) received normal saline. The plasma and cytosol (10% erythrocytes) levels of Mg, Mn, Cu, Fe and Zn were determined on Day 12 post-infection, using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Plasma Mn level was significantly decreased (p0.05) in the IF (7.54 ± 0.68 ppm) relative to the CF (6.82±0.48ppm). Plasma Zn level was also significantly decreased (p0.05) in the IF (1.58±0.39ppm) relative to the CF (2.69±0.47ppm). Erythrocyte Cu levels showed significant (p
Key words: Cricetomys gambianus; Trypanosoma congolense infection; Trace element; Sexual differences.
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