Condition factor and organosomatic indices of parasitizedRattus rattusas indicators of host health.
This study describes the influence of parasitism (Trypanosoma lewisiandCysticercus fasciolaris) on the condition factor, hepato and splenosomatic indices of the common house rat,Rattus rattusLinnaeus, 1758 from Rohilkhand, Uttar Pradesh, India. Examination ofR. rattus(n= 389) revealedT. lewisi(prevalence 12.40 %; intensity14 parasites/1000 RBC) from the blood andC. fasciolaris(larvalTaenia taeniaeformis) (prevalence 46.70 %; intensity 2-4 par/host) from the liver. Condition factor (K) and organosomatic indices [hepatosomatic index, spleenosomatic index (SSI)] were evaluated in two groups (Group I non pregnant, Group II pregnant) of female rats which were further subdivided into four subgroups each (a Uninfected, bT. lewisiinfected, cC. fasciolarisinfected, dT. lewisiandC. fasciolarisinfected) belonging to three weight groups (A 50-100 g; B 100-150 g; C 150-200 g). The results indicated that reduction in K-factor was more apparent in young rats, Group Ic (weight category A) showing the maximum depletion (21.62 %), hepatomegaly and splenomegaly were frequent outcomes of parasitic infection and maximum change (50 %) was recorded in dual-infected pregnant rats (Group IId) expressed as SSI of the infected rat. The abnormal condition factor and organosomatic indices indicate perturbations in the biological systems at the organismal level. Thus, the information generated through this piece of work is a warning of an incipient or impending problem.
Centre of Excellence Laboratory, Department of Animal Science, M.J.P. Rohilkhand University, Bareilly, 243 006 U.P. India.
Neelima
N
Gupta
Department of Zoology, Bareilly College, Bareilly, 243 005 U.P. India.
D K
DK
Gupta
Centre of Excellence Laboratory, Department of Animal Science, M.J.P. Rohilkhand University, Bareilly, 243 006 U.P. India.
P K
PK
Sharma
Condition factor; Cysticercus fasciolaris; Organosomatic indices; Rattus rattus; Trypanosoma lewisi