SINGLE NUCLEOTIDE POLYMORPHISMS IN TWO TLR GENES AND THEIR EFFECTS ON TRYPANOSOMOSIS TRAITS IN MUTURU AND WHITE FULANI CATTLE CHALLENGED WITH TRYPANOSOMA VIYAX IN NIGERIA

摘要

Trypanosomosis is a parasitic infection of man and animals caused by Trypanosoma spp. which occurs throughout the tropical regions especially in sub-Saharan Africa and the disease is a major constraint in cattle production.Toll-like receptors genes are crucial in triggering an innate immune response against pathogens.The study investigated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in two toll-like receptors (TLR) I and 2 genes in Muturu and White Fulani cattle challenged with Trypanosoma vivax to determine their association with indices of trypanotolerance in these catde breeds.Thirteen yearling Muturu and White Fulani bulls were used for this study. Four animals of each breed were intravenously inoculated with 2 x 106 trypanosome organisms per millilitre, while five animals served as uninfected control group. Data on haematological indices were collected twice weekly before and after Trypanosoma vivax inoculation for six weeks. A total of 16 SNPs were detected in the two TLR genes, out of which 7 were detected in TLR I and nine in TLR2. Of the SNPs detected, 43.75% (n = 7) were transition and 56.25% (n = 9) were transversion. The trypanosomosis traits that were mostly associated with the TLR SNPs wereWBC and PCV.The study concluded that 12TLR-SNPs in Muturu and White Fulani cattle were associated with WBC, 7 with PCV, 3 with RBC, 2 with eosinophil and none with monocyte.The significant relationships between TLR-SNPs and trypanosomosis traits if genotyped could provide important information that canbe used in the control of the disease.