Animal Research International (2012) 9(1): 1540 – 1543 1540 ISSN: 159 – 3115 ARI 2012 9(1): 1540 – 1543 www.zoo-unn.org EFFECT OF DIETARY VITAMIN A SUPPLEMENT ON SERUM PROTEIN OF RATS INFECTED WITH Trypanosoma brucei EDOGA, C. O., NJOKU, O. O., UFELE, A. N. and EBENEBE, C. I. Department of Zoology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, PMB 5025, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria. Corresponding Author: Ufele, A. N. Department of Zoology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, PMB 5025, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria. Email: ufeleangel@yahoo.com Phone: ±234 8038989944 ABSTRACT The role of dietary vitamin A supplement on the serum protein of trypanosome-infected rats was studied. The rats were inoculated with trypanosomes intraperitoneally and samples were collected on fourth, eight, twelfth and sixteenth days post infection. The experiment was carried out at the Department of Biochemistry, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka. Sixty parasite free-albino rats were used, which were divided into four groups. Group A (control) was left uninfected with trypanosomes, group B and C were infected with trypanosomes and treated with 50mls and 100mls of vitamin A per kg of feed respectively and group D was infected and left untreated with vitamin A. Analyses of the sera using Bradford method and cellulose acetate electrophoresis showed that vitamin A influenced the state of hypoproteinaemia in the trypanosome-infected rats. This was manifested by a positive increase in the level of total serum protein concentration, albumin and beta-globulin. Vitamin A also delayed the proliferation of the parasites associated with trypanosomiasis. Key words: Vitamin A, Dietary supplement, Trypanosoma brucei, Serum protein, Rattus novegicus INTRODUCTION For several decades, trypanosomiasis has continued to contribute adversely to the economic well being of sub-Sahara Africa. Trypanosomiasis is one of the most important livestock diseases in sub-Saharan Africa (Morrison et al., 1981). This scourge remains a pressing challenge especially to African scientists in formulating possible action plan that would eradicate trypanosomiasis from the African continent. The articulation of such plan would include both preventive measures and treatment modalities. Trypanosome is known to attack red blood cells and vascular endothelium. It concentrates more in the peripheral circulation (Jackson, 1979). These trypanosomes exhibit remarkable antigenic variation of their surface glycoprotein with hundreds of antigenic type. One antigenic type will coat the surface of the parasites for approximately 10 days followed by other types in sequences in the new progeny. This variation is due to sequential movement of the glycoprotein genes to a preferential location of the chromosome were only that specific gene is transcribed into messenger RNA. These antigenic variations allow the organism to continually invade the host immune response. The first wave of parasitemia is accompanied by depressed packed cell volume, neutropenia and thrombocytopenia (Krampitz, 1970). Trypanosomiasis in rats is associated with a decreased serum protein as infection progressed. Improvement on host’s nutrition is important in moderating the severity of pathophysiological effect of trypanosomiasis and also influences the rate of recovery (Katungka- Rwakishaya, 1996).