Fetal characteristics of slaughtered pregnant cows at different stages of gestation at the Ibadan Central Abattoir

Foetal characteristics in slaughtered pregnant cows

Abstract

Abstract

The surge in human population has increased the need for more cattle and their products as a source of food and other human needs. Unfortunately, fetal wastage due to the slaughter of pregnant cattle is a bane to achieving this. The present study aims to provide information on fetal characteristics of slaughtered pregnant cows at different stages of gestation. Two hundred and ten (210) fetuses from seven breeds of slaughtered pregnant cows at different stages of gestation were collected from Ibadan Central Abattoir between June and August 2019. Fetal morphometry was done using the tape rule and Vernier calliper, while the gestational age of the fetuses was determined using the formula X = 2.5 (CRL + 21) days, where X is the gestational age, CRL is the crown-rump length in centimetres. Twenty-seven (27) samples of amniotic fluid were collected from slaughtered pregnant cows for progesterone assay and biochemical tests using standard procedures. Fetal wastage and economic assessments were carried out. Fetal crown-rump length and eye-socket length show the highest (R² crown-rump length = 0.999) and least (R² eye-socket length = 0.851) relationship with age of gestation. The association between age and fetal morphometry in all the breeds was significant, where the R² value among all breeds was found to be 1.00, except for the Sokoto Gudali breed (R² = 0.996). Red Bororo shows the strongest positive relationship between the age of gestation and the biparietal diameter (R² = 0.979). Progesterone levels were high in the first and third trimesters. The potassium level increased non-significantly with the age of gestation. Contrarily, the total protein, albumin, sodium, and glucose levels decreased, though non-significantly, with age of gestation. There was a huge fetal wastage and high economic loss, valued at ₦13,650,000 monthly. Fetal characteristics remain a reliable biometric parameter in the determination of gestation age in cattle, and fetal wastage due to pregnant cattle slaughter has negative reproductive and economic implications.