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The International Trypanotolerance Centre supports its Research and Development work with the following main Services:
LABORATORY SERVICES
- Entomology: tsetse fly surveys and tick
collections from animals as well as from the environment are frequently executed research activities. Tsetse and tick identification and dissection are routine operations.
- Parasitology: this laboratory focuses mainly on the diagnostics of haemoparasites,
particularly trypanosomosis and tick-borne diseases. Endoparasites, particularly gastrointestinal parasites, are another main focus of laboratory work.
- Serology, immunology: this laboratory is equipped to apply serological and immunological tests for the research of prevailing diseases. Tests used on a routine basis comprise ELISA (Map-B1 ELISA for the diagnosis of Cowdriosis, AB-ELISA for the detection of anti-trypanosomal antibodies), Immunofluorescent tests, PCR (for the detection of cowdria ruminantium and trypanosomes), Complement Fixation Test.
- Food hygiene: Established bacteriological,
serological and immunological diagnostic capacity focuses mainly on investigations of animals products (milk and meat).
- Feed analysis: the nutritive value of animal
feeds, conventional and alternative feed resources, can be analysed using the classical proximate analytical scheme (AOAC,1981). In addition, Gas production tests and diverse in vitro/in sacco
digestion and fibre analyses based on modified van Soest (Ankom Technology) are undertaken.
- Reproduction: artificial insemination services, storage of semen, quality testing of semen and reproductive health services.
BIOSTATISTICS
- Computer Unit: this computer pool is equipped with statistical software packages appropriate to the needs of the Centre (SAS, SPSS, LASER, Epi-info, Statgraphics…) Professional support can be given to researchers in the analysis of their data.
For more information on the Biostatistics Unit, email Austin Bosso
GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION UNIT
 A
GIS unit gives support in the analysis and mapping of spatial-temporal relationships in production and disease investigations.
FARM SERVICES
- Demonstration dairy farm: the Centre maintains a dairy herd
of milking cows (N'Dama X Holstein Friesian and N'Dama X Jersey). Housing, feeding, herd health management are adjusted to a medium input system and serve as demonstration for
farmers willing to venture into small scale dairy enterprising using crossbred dairy animals.
- Dairy unit: a Milk-Pro Unit for pasteurisation and processing of
milk will be installed in the near future and will be used as demonstration and teaching unit.
Sale of
pasteurised milk to the public is offered.
- Small ruminant unit: The Small Ruminant Research project
maintains flocks of sheep and goats (Djallonké, West African Dwarf and F1 crosses with Sahelian breeds) for experimental purposes at Bansang and Kerr Serigne ITC stations. Small
breeding flocks are also maintained. Currently there are approximately 170 sheep and goats at Kerr Serigne and 200 in Bansang.
 Animal feed gardens:
There are small demonstration intensive feeding gardens of Leucaena and Cajanus leguminous trees established by
the Small Ruminant Research Project at both Bansang and Kerr Serigne stations. Fodder from these gardens is used to supplement station flocks. The gardens also supply Leucaena
seeds for maintaining village community feeding gardens as well as for ITC nurseries.
For more information regarding Farm services, email Famara Sanyang
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