Studies on naturally acquired immunity to African ticks. II. Observations on cattle exposed to Rhipicephalus appendiculatus under varying periods of repeated infestations

Abstract

Groups of Friesian cattle were infested repeatedly with Rhipicephalus appendiculatus at weekly intervals (eight infestations) and at intervals of 3 weeks (seven infestations) and 6 weeks (seven infestations). The engorgement weight of adults, nymphs and larvae decreased significantly initially, from the second infestation, but rose significantly at later infestations. This rise was more dramatic with larval instars than with any other. A new method for quantifying the resistance status of animals was introduced; this method showed that the resistance acquired by cattle during 6-weekly reinfestations was more stable than that acquired by cattle during weekly and 3-weekly reinfestations. The criteria for assessing natural resistance to ticks was reappraised. These are classified into those serving long- and short-term purposes, and those which have direct and indirect effects. Criteria which could serve long- and short-term purposes include a reduced number of engorged ticks, an increased number of dead male and female ticks, a decreased number of ticks which fed above the critical engorgement weight and an increased number which fed within the pre-mating weight and decreased the number of copulations. The criterion of reduced engorgement weight can serve the short-term purpose only. A new manifestation of resistance to ticks, i.e. decreased moulting weights of nymphs and adults, together with the criterion of decreased egg hatchability, were classified as indirect effects because they were manifested after the ticks had dropped off the resistant cattle.