Prominent intraspecific genetic divergence within Anopheles gambiae sibling species triggered by habitat discontinuities across a riverine landscape.

The Anopheles gambiae complex of mosquitoes includes malaria vectors at different stages of speciation, whose study enables a better understanding of how adaptation to divergent environmental conditions leads to evolution of reproductive isolation. We investigated the population genetic structure of closely related sympatric taxa that have recently been proposed as separate species (An. coluzzii and An. gambiae), sampled from diverse habitats along the Gambia river in West Africa. We characterized putatively neutral microsatellite loci as well as chromosomal inversion polymorphisms known to be associated with ecological adaptation. The results revealed strong ecologically associated population subdivisions within both species. Microsatellite loci on chromosome-3L revealed clear differentiation between coastal and inland populations, which in An. coluzzii is reinforced by a unusual inversion polymorphism pattern, supporting the hypothesis of genetic divergence driven by adaptation to the coastal habitat. A strong reduction of gene flow was observed between An. gambiae populations west and east of an extensively rice-cultivated region apparently colonized exclusively by An. coluzzii. Notably, this 'intraspecific' differentiation is higher than that observed between the two species and involves also the centromeric region of chromosome-X which has previously been considered a marker of speciation within this complex, possibly suggesting that the two populations may be at an advanced stage of differentiation triggered by human-made habitat fragmentation. These results confirm ongoing ecological speciation within these most important Afro-tropical malaria vectors and raise new questions on the possible effect of this process in malaria transmission.

Re-emergence of Rift Valley fever virus in Barkedji (Senegal, West Africa) in 2002-2003: identification of new vectors and epidemiological implications.

The Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is a threat that must not be neglected, as the consequences of RVFV are dramatic, both for human and animal health. This virus is a zoonotic virus that already has demonstrated a real capacity for re-emerging after long periods of silence, as observed in Barkedji (Senegal, West Africa) in 2002. In this article we present the 2nd emergence in Barkedji after the 1st manifestation in 1993, and for the 1st time the circulation of RVFV during 2 consecutive years among mosquito populations in Senegal. As part of the entomological surveillance program undertaken since 1990 to detect circulation of the RVFV in Barkedji, 108,336 mosquitoes belonging to 34 species and 5 genera were collected in 2002-2003. Aedes vexans and Culex poicilipes, previously known to be vectors of RVFV in Senegal, comprised 88.7% of the total collection. In 2002, Ae. vexans was the most abundant mosquito, followed by Cx. poicilipes; the opposite situation was observed in 2003. In 2002, 29 and 10 RVFV isolates were obtained from Cx. poicilipes (minimum infection rate [MIR] = 0.13%) and Ae. vexans (MIR = 0.02%) pools, respectively and the MIR for the 2 species were significantly different (chi2 = 34.65; df = 1, P < 0.001). In 2003, 7 RVFV strains were isolated from Cx. poicilipes (3, MIR = 0.03), Mansonia africana (2, MIR = 0.08), Ae. fowleri (1), and Ma. uniformis (1, MIR = 0.05). The 3 latter species were found to be associated with RVFV for the 1st time in Senegal. A significant decrease in MIR was observed from 2002 to 2003 (chi2 6.28; df = 1, P = 0.01) for Cx. poicilipes, the only species involved in the transmission during the 2 sampling years.

Contribution of Anopheles funestus, An. gambiae and An. nili (Diptera: Culicidae) to the perennial malaria transmission in the southern and western forest areas of Côte d'Ivoire.

The involvement of members of the Anopheles gambiae complex Giles and An. funestus Giles and An. nili Theobald groups in the transmission of Plasmodium falciparum was recently investigated in the villages of Gbatta and Kpéhiri, which lie, respectively, in forest areas in the west and south of Côte d'Ivoire. Adult female mosquitoes were collected, using human landing catches, inside and outside dwellings. After identification and dissection, the heads and thoraces of all the anopheline mosquitoes were tested, in an ELISA, for circumsporozoite protein (CSP). All the female anopheline mosquitoes collected and identified to species using PCR were found to be An. gambiae s.s., An. nili s.s. or An. funestus s.s., with An. gambiae s.s. and An. funestus s.s. predominant in Gbatta but An. nili s.s. the most common species in Kpéhiri. In Gbatta, 3·1% of the female An. gambiae collected, 5·0% of the female An. funestus and 1·8% of the female An. nili were found CSP-positive. The corresponding values in Kpéhiri were even higher, at 5·9%, 6·2% and 2·4%, respectively. The estimated entomological inoculation rates (EIR) were very high: 302 infected bites (139 from An. gambiae, 146 from An. funestus and 17 from An. nili)/person-year in Gbatta and 484 infected bites (204 from An. gambiae, 70 from An. funestus and 210 from An. nili)/person-year in Kpéhiri. In Gbatta, An. gambiae s.s. was responsible for most of the rainy-season transmission while An. funestus became the main malaria vector in the dry seasons. In Kpéhiri, however, An. nili appeared to be the main vector throughout the year, with An. gambiae of secondary importance and An. funestus only becoming a significant vector during the rainy season. Although, in both study sites, intense transmission was therefore occurring and the same three species of anopheline mosquito were present, the relative importance of each mosquito species in the epidemiology of the human malaria at each site differed markedly.

Evaluation of the efficiency of bird-baited traps for sampling potential West Nile fever mosquito vectors (Diptera: Culicidae) in Senegal.

The efficiency of bird-baited traps and collection heights for sampling potential West Nile mosquito vectors was studied during the 2006 rainy season (between September 27 and November 26) in Barkedji area situated in the sahelian area of Senegal (West Africa). Each night, two traps were set on the ground-level and two on the canopylevel (approximately 3 m) each containing either a chicken or a pigeon, the traps being rotated the following nights. A total of 1,030 mosquitoes were collected using 66 traps-nights. Culex species were predominant and represented 92.2% of the fauna of which 63% belonged to Cx. neavei group Theobald whereas 23.8% were Cx poicilipes (Theobald). The species of the Cx. neavei group were mainly collected by the pigeon-baited trap at canopy while Cx. poicilipes was captured similarly by pigeons and chickens placed at the canopy and ground. The implication of these results in West Nile vectors surveillance is discussed.

[Use of insecticide-treated cattle to control Rift Valley fever and West Nile virus vectors in Senegal]. / Utilisation de boeufs traités aux insecticides dans la lutte contre les vecteurs des virus de la fièvre de la vallée du Rift et de la fièvre West Nile au Sénégal.

Rift Valley Fever (RVF) and West Nile fever (WN) viruses are transmitted by several mosquito species and share the same vectors in Northern Senegal (West Africa). In absence of an effective treatment and vaccines, vector control remains an alternative method of prevention and control of these vector-borne diseases. The methods targeting adults' pest mosquitoes and malaria vectors which are currently used by the population in the Barkedji area (insecticides treated nets, bombs and copper coil) would not be effective against these vectors because of their exophagic and zoophilic behavior. Thus, we decided to evaluate the effectiveness of insecticide-treated cattle as a method to control these vectors. We evaluated the effects of this treatment on the mortality and the behaviour (attractiveness and engorgement) of the main vectors and subsidiary the whole mosquito fauna. Our study was conducted during September 2005, and between July and November 2006, at Niakha pond located 4 km from the Barkedji village in the Sahelian region of Senegal. A bull-calf was treated with 25 mg/m2 of deltamethrin and compared to an untreated calf of the same weight used as a control. The assays were conducted using two net-traps placed at the edge of the pond from 19:00 PM to 22:00 PM each night for 4 nights per week for 4 consecutive weeks after each treatment. The risk that host- seeking mosquitoes that do not have possibility to feed on cattle might turn to men cohabiting with these cattle was evaluated simultaneously during the bioassay. The deltamethrin treatment led to a significant reduction in the average number of mosquitoes attracted by the treated-calf compared to the control during the first 2 weeks post-treatment both for all species and for the main vectors such as Ae. vexans, Ae. ochraceus, Cx. poicilipes, Cx. neavei and Ma. uniformis. However these means were comparable for the last two weeks post-treatment both for the whole mosquito fauna and the main vectors with the exception of Cx. neavei. The treatment resulted in a significant reduction in the rates of engorged females during the first two weeks post-treatment. Indeed, the females' engorgement rate on the treated-calf compared to the control has been reduced by 57.3% for Ae. vexans, 39.8% for Ae. ochraceus, 76.4% for Cx. poicilipes, 82.4% for Cx. neavei, 84.6% for Ma. uniformis and 64.1% for the whole mosquito fauna. This effect of the treatment was maintained in the second fortnight post-treatment only for Cx. neavei. Mortality rates were higher among mosquitoes collected with the treated-calf compared to the control in the first fortnight of the test. This impact of the insecticide has been maintained in the second fortnight post-treatment excepted for Cx. neavei. However a significant variation of the mortality of the mosquitoes collected with the treated-cattle was observed between the two fortnights. In fact, the mortality rate of the mosquitoes collected on the treated-cattle decreased by 43.8% for the mosquito fauna as a whole, 47.5% for Cx. poicilipes and 82.4% for Ae. vexans, 76% for Ae. ochraceus, and 63.3% for Ma. uniformis. No deviation of host-seeking mosquitoes, from treated calf to men, has been observed since the average number of host-seeking mosquitoes collected on men close to the two calves was statistically comparable. The insecticide-treated cattle may be a good method for controlling RVF and WN vectors and associated mosquitoes in Senegal. However there is a need to develop new formulations or new strategies of application that could improve the duration of the effectiveness of the treatment.

Anopheles funestus (Diptera: Culicidae) in a humid savannah area of western Burkina Faso: bionomics, insecticide resistance status, and role in malaria transmission.

An entomological survey was carried out in three humid savannah sites of western Burkina Faso (Bama, Lena, and Soumousso) to (1) update the taxonomy of the Anopheles funestus Giles group, (2) examine the role of each species in malaria transmission, (3) characterize the insecticide resistance status of this malaria vector, and (4) determine the distribution of An. funestus chromosomal forms in these areas. Polymerase chain reaction identification of the members showed the occurrence of An. leesoni Evans in Lena and An. rivulorum-like in Soumousso in addition to An. funestus s.s. Malaria transmission was ensured mainly by An. funestus s.s. both in Soumousso and Lena and by An. gambiae s.s. Giles in Bama, the rice-growing area. The insecticide resistance status performed only on An. funestus indicated that this mosquito was susceptible to pyrethroids irrespective of the study area, but it was resistant to dieldrin. Furthermore, the occurrence of the two chromosomal forms of An. funestus, namely, Kiribina and Folonzo, seemed to follow ecological setups where Kiribina predominated in the irrigated area and Folonzo was more frequent in classic savannah. This study revealed that the problematic of An. funestus taxonomy was closer to that of An. gambiae requiring more structured studies to understand its genetic ecology.

[Integrated approach to yellow fever surveillance: pilot study in Senegal in 2003-2004]. / Approche intégrée de la surveillance de la fièvre jaune: étude pilote au Sénégal en 2003-2004.

The aim was to undertake a pilot study of integrated surveillance of yellow fever (YF) in Senegal, based on i) a human surveillance involving healthcare centers in the 11 administrative regions of the country ii) an entomological surveillance including domestic and sylvatic environment and iii) screening mosquitoes for YF virus using RT-PCR method. The integrated approach of human and entomological surveillance was conducted for 2 years (2003-2004). Surveillance in human population was based on screening samples of YF suspected cases (i.e. patients with acute (< or = 15 days) febrile illness with jaundice) for YF specific IgM antibodies. The entomological surveillance was carried out by collecting mosquitoes using human landing catch method and attempt to detect YF virus on them by RT-PCR. Forty five percent of the healthcare centres notified at least one suspected YF case during 2003-2004 periods. Among the 342 sera collected over 2 years, 2 revealed anti-YF IgM antibodies leading to investigations which allowed identification of the source and place of infection and implementation of a reactive focused YF immunization campaign. In addition, YFV was detected by RT-PCR from 49 out of 1762 mosquitoes tested and distributed as follows: in the sylvatic environment, 29 from Aedes furcifer and 1 from Aedes aegypti while in the domestic area, 15 Aedes aegypti and 4 Aedes furcifer. RT-PCR was found more sensitive and rapid than viral isolation for YF virus detection in mosquitoes. The pilot study in Senegal for YF surveillance integrating human and entomological parameters in domestic and sylvatic areas showed that this approach is very efficient in detecting yellow fever virus circulation due to the complementarity of the two systems. Therefore, in the light of the encouraging results presented herein, similar studies in different context and areas are needed to further validate and allow the extension of its application to other endemic regions of Africa.

m-Diabete in Senegal. "Be He@lthy Be Mobile", a program initiated by WHO and the ITU.

The health-care systems of Africa must adapt to the exponential progression of nontransmissible diseases, diabetes in particular. How can we accelerate population awareness of the risk factors? How can we provide the minimal education necessary to all people with diabetes to limit its complications? The "Be He@lthy Be Mobile" initiative of WHO and the ITU (International Telecommunications Union) and its "m-Diabete" app in Senegal explore the conditions for establishing a large-scale patient-education program using texting and its potential health impact.

[Feeding pattern of Rift Valley Fever virus vectors in Senegal. Implications in the disease epidemiology]. / Comportement trophique des vecteurs du virus de la fièvre de la vallée du rift au Sénégal: implications dans l'epidémiologie de la maladie.

During the rainy season 2003, an entomological survey was undertaken in the Sahelian bioclimatic zone of the Ferlo area in northern Senegal, in order to evaluate the degree of interaction between Rift valley fever (RVF) virus vectors and domestic animals and to determine the role of natural vertebrate hosts in the transmission and maintenance cycle. The study of vector-host contact was carried out under bed net traps using man, cow, sheep, chicken as bait whereas the RVFV vectors-vertebrate host interactions were studied through the analysis by an ELISA technique of the origin of the blood meals from naturally engorged females collected by aspiration. Blood meals sources were determined using a set of eight antibodies. Overall, the different known RVFV vectors (Culex poicilipes, Aedes vexans and Aedes ochraceus) were opportunistic although the bovine-baited net was, as far the more effective trap with 53.6% of collected mosquitoes. It was followed by the sheep-baited net (16.7%), man-baited net (12.6%) and chicken-baited net (11.6%). The more effectiveness of the bovine-baited net confirms the degree of implication of this host in RVF epidemiology. The study of vector-hosts interactions in nature showed that among the 1,112 mosquito blood meals tested, 701 were identified of which 693 were from Aedes vexans. The percentage of non-reacting blood meal was 36.7% whereas 16.9 % of the blood meals were taken at least on two vertebrate hosts. Overall, 53.2% of the blood meals from Ae. vexans were taken on equine, 18.6% on bovines, 7.1% on sheep and 0.6% on human. No blood meal was taken on rodent. The greatest diversity was observed in August. These host feedings patterns show that although equine is known to play a minor role in RVF epidemiology a thorough attention should be made to this host with regard to the percentage of blood meals taken in this host. The low percentage of blood meals taken on human could probably explain the low human infection rate observed up to now in Senegal. With the high percentage of non-reacting blood meals, our results also underline the necessity of an improvement of ELISA techniques and the use of more reliable tools as molecular markers for an exhaustive identification of vertebrates hosts involved in RVF epidemiological cycle.

[Identification of anopheles breeding sites in the residual foci of low malaria transmission «hotspots¼ in Central and Western Senegal]. / Identification des gîtes larvaires d'anophèles dans les foyers résiduels de faible transmission du paludisme « hotspots ¼ au centre-ouest du Sénégal.

Malaria incidence has markedly declined in the Mbour, Fatick, Niakhar and Bambey districts (central and western Senegal) thanks to a scaling up of effective control measures namely LLINs (Long Lasting Insecticide Treated Net), ACTs (Artesunate Combination Therapy) and promoting care seeking. However malaria cases are now maintained by foci of transmission called hotspots. We evaluate the role of anopheles breeding sites in the identification of malaria hotspots in the health districts of Mbour, Fatick, Niakhar and Bambey. Surveys of breeding sites were made in 6 hotspot villages and 4 non-hotspot villages. A sample was taken in each water point with mosquito larvae by dipping method and the collected specimens were identified to the genus level. Additional parameters as name of the village and breeding sites, type of collection, original water turbidity, presence of vegetation, proximity to dwellings, geographic coordinates, sizes were also collected. Sixty-two water collections were surveyed and monitored between 2013 and 2014. Temporary natural breeding sites were predominant regardless of the epidemiological status of the village. Among the 31 breeding sites located within 500 meters of dwellings in hotspots villages, 70% carried Anopheles larvae during the rainy season while 43% of the 21 breeding sites located at similar distances in non-hotspot villages carried Anopheles larvae during the same period (P = 0.042). At the end of the rainy season, the trend is the same with 27% of positive breeding sites in hotspots and 14% in non-hotspots villages. The breeding sites encountered in hotspots villages are mostly small to medium size and are more productive by Anopheles larvae than those found in non-hotspot area. This study showed that the high frequency of smallest and productive breeding sites around and inside the villages can create conditions of residual transmission.

Bionomical and cytogenetic heterogeneities of Anopheles funestus in Senegal.

Malaria transmission by Anopheles funestus was investigated from May 1994 to September 1997 in different locations from western to eastern Senegal along the northern border of The Gambia. 10515 A. funestus were captured on human volunteers or by indoor pyrethrum spraying. Circumsporozoite protein rates showed that A. funestus had a high infection rate, 2-7%, in the whole of the study area. Analysis of feeding behaviour showed great variation of anthropophilic rates from western Senegal, where populations were highly anthropophilic, to eastern Senegal, where they were much more zoophilic. In eastern Senegal many females captured in bedrooms had fed outside on horses. Polytene chromosome analysis showed that the general pattern of karyotype distribution is consistent with the hypothesis of 3 chromosomally differentiated populations of A. funestus. In samples from a central part of the study area, analysis showed lack of karyotype intergradation with a deficit of heterokaryotypes, suggesting the presence of 2 genetically differentiated populations in an area of sympatric.

Four years' entomological study of the transmission of seasonal malaria in Senegal and the bionomics of Anopheles gambiae and A. arabiensis.

From 1993 to 1996, an entomological survey was conducted in the village of Ndiop, Senegal, as part of a research programme on malaria epidemiology and the mechanisms of protective immunity. Mosquitoes were captured on human bait and by indoor spraying. Species from the Anopheles gambiae complex were identified using the polymerase chain reaction, and Plasmodium falciparum infections were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for circumsporozoite protein. The vector species identified were A. gambiae (33.9%), A. arabiensis (63.2%), A. melas (0.3%) and A. funestus (2.5%). Similar proportions of A. gambiae (74.2%) and A. arabiensis (73.8%) contained human blood; 27.0% of A. gambiae and 28.3% of A. arabiensis had fed on cattle. The sporozoite rates were similar for A. gambiae (3.2%) and A. arabiensis (3.7%). The annual entomological inoculation rates varied greatly depending on the year. There were 63, 17, 37 and 7 infected bites per person per year in 1993, 1994, 1995 and 1996 respectively. Transmission was highly seasonal, from July to October. A. arabiensis was responsible for 66% of malaria transmission, A. gambiae for 31%, and A. funestus for 3%.

Comparison of behavior and vector efficiency of Anopheles gambiae and An. arabiensis (Diptera:Culicidae) in Barkedji, a Sahelian area of Senegal.

The ecology, population dynamics, and malaria vector efficiency of Anopheles gambiae and An. arabiensis were studied for 2 yr in a Sahelian village of Senegal. Anophelines were captured at human bait and resting indoors by pyrethrum spray. Mosquitoes belonging to the An. gambiae complex were identified by polymerase chain reaction. Of 26,973 females, An. arabiensis represented 79% of the mosquitoes captured and remained in the study area longer than An. gambiae after the rains terminated. There were no differences in nocturnal biting cycles or endophagous rates between An. gambiae and An. arabiensis. Based on an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test of bloodmeals, the anthropophilic rate of these 2 vectors were both approximately 60%, when comparisons were made during the same period. Overall, 18% of the resting females had patent mixed bloodmeals, mainly human-bovine. The parity rates of An. gambiae and An. arabiensis varied temporally. Despite similar behavior, the Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite protein (CSP) rates were different between An. gambiae (4.1%) and An. arabiensis (1.3%). P. malariae and P. ovale only represented 4% of the total Plasmodium identified in mosquitoes. Transmission was seasonal, occurring mainly during 4 mo. The CSP entomological inoculation rates were 128 bites per human per year for the 1st yr and 100 for the 2nd yr. Because of the combination of a high human biting rate and a low CSP rate, An. arabiensis accounted for 63% of transmission. Possible origin of differences in CSP rate between An. gambiae and An. arabiensis is discussed in relation to the parity rate, blood feeding frequency, and the hypothesis of genetic factors.

Chromosomal inversion polymorphism of Anopheles funestus from forest villages of South Cameroon.

The polymorphism of paracentric inversions of Anopheles funestus polytene chromosomes was studied in three villages (Nkoteng, Obala, and Simbock) located in a forest area of South Cameroon in order to analyse the genetic structure of these populations. A total of 146-210 chromatids could be scored from specimens collected over about two years. A low degree of chromosomal polymorphism was observed with two floating inversions on chromosomal arm 2 (2h and 2d), and three fixed arrangements on arms 3 (3a and 3b), and 5 (5a). Such arrangement of inversions has never been recorded elsewhere so far. The chromosome analysis indicated that the population from Obala was in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, whereas the samples from Nkoteng and Simbock showed a significant excess and deficit of heterokaryotypes, respectively. Significant differences in inversion frequencies on chromosomal arm 2 among villages lying in contrasting eco-climatic settings suggested an adaptive role of these inversions.

Spatial and temporal variations of the chromosomal inversion polymorphism of Anopheles funestus in Senegal.

The polymorphism of paracentric inversions of An. funestus polytene chromosomes was studied along a transect in Senegal in order to assess their variations at the spatial and temporal level. There was an increase in the degree of chromosomal polymorphism from the West to South-East. At the geographical level the variations in inversion frequencies were highly significant whatever the chromosomal arm considered. However, the variations in the chromosomal inversion frequencies did not change significantly over either seasons or years, except for inversion 3b in the village of Dielmo. Such geographical variability within a relatively limited area, associated to temporal stability, suggest a restricted gene flow between the populations studied, probably due to discontinuities in the An. funestus distribution and to its bioecology.

[Feeding behaviour of Anopheles funestus resting females in Senegal]. / Préférences trophiques des femelles endophiles d'Anopheles funestus au Sénégal.

The feeding behaviour of An. funestus resting females was studied in eleven sites in Senegal along a west-east transect in two biogeographical zones (the Sudanese and Sudanese-Guinean zones) by an ELISA technique. Mosquitoes were collected by pyrethrum spray catches. For the 1563 blood meals tested, the main hosts were humans, cows, sheep and horses representing respective proportions of 85%, 9.9%, 1.3% and 3.8%. No blood meal was taken on chicken. The percentage of non-reacting blood meals was 2.6%. A heterogenity of feeding behaviour was observed in the sample locations. The anthropophilic rates were higher in the northern Sudanese zone as versus the southern Sudanese and Sudano-Guinean zones.

[A comparison of 2 capture methods for sampling the population of Anopheles funestus Giles in a Sudanese savannah village (Dielmo, Senegal)]. / Comparaison de deux méthodes de capture pour l'échantillonnage des populations d'Anopheles funestus Giles dans un village de savane soudanienne (Dielmo, Sénégal).

We conducted a comparative study of two collection methods for sampling An. funestus populations--human bait catch and indoor pyrethrum spray--in the Sudanese savannah area of Senegal from April 1996 to March 1997. An. funestus females were captured every month during the study period. The resting density per dwelling was 1.9 times higher than those obtained with human landing catch. The population dynamics were similar with two peaks situated respectively at the beginning of the rainy season between May-July and during the dry season January-March. A significant correlation of population densities between collection methods was detected.

[Systematics and biology of Anopheles vectors of Plasmodium in Africa, recent data]. / Systématique et biologie des anophèles vecteurs de Plasmodium en Afrique, données récentes.

Renewed interest in research on Plasmodium vectors in Africa and development of genetic and molecular biology techniques has been spearheaded by the WHO and the PAL+ program of the French research ministry. New findings have led to a better understanding of the systematics and biology of the main vector groups. The purpose of this article is to describe the newest data on the Anopheles gambiae complex and the M and S forms of An. gambiae s.s., on species in the An. funestus group and genetic polymorphism of An. funestus, on the two probable species in the An. moucheti complex, and on An. mascarenesis.

Mensurações ultrassonográficas da cisterna da glândula mamária de caprino transgênico / Ultrasound measurements of the mammary gland of transgenic hormone-induced lactating goat

Milk production of transgenic does was evaluated by ultrasound measurements of the mammary gland. Two Canindé goats, which were nine months of age were used in the trial, one non-transgenic or other transgenic for hG-CSF. For hormone-induced lactation, animals were given estradiol (0.25mg/kg, IM), progesterone (0.75mg/kg, IM), and prednisolone (0.4mg/kg, IM). Ultrasonographic exams were carried out during milking, using a Falcon 100 ultrasound equipment with a 5MHz convex probe and were performed by the same operator. The results were expressed as mean±standard error. The maximum greater length and shorter length of the cistern were respectively 5.14cm and 1.36cm for the transgenic animal and 7.28cm and 2.25cm for non-transgenic, which is consistent with the maximum milk volume produced. The relationship between the average area of cisterns and milk yield was expressed as a linear correlation curve, with a correlation coefficient significantly positive for both transgenic (Y=-1.1314+10.8538*x; r=0.97) and non-transgenic (Y=-21.7551+18.3634*x; r=0.97) animals. In conclusion, the ultrasound is a practice and appropriate technique to evaluate the cisterns in ruminant udders in transgenic animal.