Central Abattoir Research Articles

Craniometrical Studies on Calvarial Development in Dromedarian Fetuses

The study aimed at studying the craniometric data of the calvaria in one-humped camel fetuses. A total number of thirty-two wasted camel fetuses were collected from Sokoto central abattoir for a period of six months; eleven fetuses were at the first trimester, twelve at the second trimester and nine at the third trimester from which craniometrical data were obtained and studied. The skull length, skull weight, cranial length, viscerocranial length, maximum zygomatic width, maximum width of neurocranium and the cranial indices all indicated increased values with corresponding fetal age increase as seen at the varying trimesters of the camel fetuses which were statistically significant (P

Prevalence of indigestible substances in the rumen and reticulum of small ruminants slaughtered at Katsina central abattoir, Katsina state, northwestern Nigeria

An abattoir based cross sectional study was conducted on 753 slaughtered small ruminants (406 ovine and 349 caprine) at Katsina Central abattoir, Katsina state, Northwestern Nigeria to determine the prevalence of indigestible substances in the rumen and reticulum of small ruminants. The study animals were selected using simple random sampling technique from the study population. 11.02% (83) were found to be positive for the presence of indigestible substances in the rumen and reticulum of the animals examined. A prevalence of 59.0% and 41.0% of indigestible substances were observed in sheep (406) and goat (347) examined respectively and there was no significant association (p>0.05) between each of the species examined and the indigestible substances. A prevalence of 12.0%, 28.9%, 39.8% and 19.3% were also observed in 3 years of the study population respectively. 86.7% and 13.3% prevalences were recorded in both rumen and reticulum of the examined animals respectively and the occurrence of indigestible substances was significantly different (p<0.05) in rumen and reticulum. Therefore, adopting intensive system of management in small ruminant production and proper managemental practices will reduce the incidence of ingestion of indigestible substances in sheep and goat within the study area.

Measurement of chromium (Cr) residue in kidney and liver of slaughtered cattle in Sokoto Central abattoir, Sokoto State, Nigeria.

The prevalence of Chromium (Cr) residue in liver and kidney samples of cattle was determined at cattle slaughter section of Sokoto Central abattoir Sokoto State Nigeria. A total of one hundred of each of the liver and kidney samples were collected and processed for the detection of Chromium using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. All the samples (liver and kidney) were 100% positive for Chromium. The highest and lowest concentration of Chromium in liver and kidney were found to be among the age groups of ≥9 years and those at 0-2 years respectively. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in the concentration of Chromium in liver and kidney samples of the different age groups of the slaughtered cattle. The concentration of Chromium in all the samples are within the permissible level recommended by Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) and World Health Organisation(WHO).It is therefore obvious that the liver and kidney of cattle slaughtered at Sokoto abattoir contain Chromium residue. This study was carried out to determine the level of Chromium residue in liver and kidneys of beef consumed from Sokoto Central abattoir Sokoto State, Nigeria.

High meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus carriage in intensive pig farms in southern China

The isolation of meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) from farmers led to the recognition of a zoonotic MRSA lineage (ST398) in pigs in Europe and elsewhere (Khanna and others 2008, European...

Nutritional and organoleptic properties of three common Nigerian foods cooked with three different energy sources

This study investigates the nutritional and organoleptic properties of rice, beans and yam cooked with firewood, biogas and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) that is, each of these foods was cooked with these energy sources. The biogas was generated from cow dung using a 10 m3 digester at the National Center for Energy Research and Development, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. The substrate (cow dung) used for generating the biogas was procured from Nsukka main market central abattoir. The firewood, LPG cylinder (together with the gas), pots, rice, beans, yam, among other materials, were purchased from Ogige main market, Nsukka. Standard analytical methods were used to determine moisture content, ash, carbohydrate, protein, crude fibre, fat, thiamine, ascorbic acid, phosphorus and calcium contents of the food samples. The cooking time of these foods were noted using the three energy sources. Results obtained showed that LPG retained more nutrients than the other two energy sources used while firewood cooked faster than biogas and LPG, that is, firewood cooked rice, beans and yam faster than biogas and LPG. Key words: Energy, organoleptic, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), firewood, biogas.

Assessment of Nutrient Composition of Fore-Stomach Digesta (FSD) Ensiled With Groundnut Haulms

A study was conducted to evaluate the proximate and mineral compositions of fore stomach digesta ensiled with groundnut haulms. Fresh fore stomach Digesta (FSD) was collected from slaughtered camels and cattle at Sokoto central abattoir and then ensiled with Groundnut haulms. The mixture was analyzed for proximate and mineral compositions after 3, 6 and 9 weeks of ensiling. Results showed that Moisture, crude fibre (CF), nitrogen free extracts (NFE) and ether extracts (EE) components increased with increase in ensiling period (P< 0.05) while crude Protein (CP) decreased with increase in ensiling period. Calcium, potassium and phosphorus composition of the ensiled components also increased with increase in period of ensiling while sodium and magnesium did not (P< 0.05). It could be concluded that increasing ensiling period beyond three weeks could decrease CP contents but could increase CF, NFE, Ca, P and K contents of the ensiled materials. Further studies should be carried out with other forage species to enhance the nutritive value of fore stomach digesta for its potential use as animal feed.

Prevalence of Trypanosomosis in Cattle at Slaughter in Kaduna Central Abattoir

Prevalence of Trypanosomosis in Cattle at Slaughter in Kaduna Central Abattoir

Incidence of Hydatid cyst disease in food animals slaughtered at Sokoto Central Abattoir, Sokoto State, Nigeria

An abattoir based study was conducted to determine the incidence of hydatid cyst disease in cattle, camel, sheep and goats, over a one year period (Oct 2003- Sept 2004). Forty six thousand two hundred and twenty three (46223) cattle; 3545 camel; 16345 sheep and 14134 goats were examined at post mortem for evidence of hydatid cyst lesions. Incidences of 34 (0.07%), 318 (8.97%), 23 (0.14%) and 4 (0.03%) were found for cattle, camel, sheep and goats, respectively. Locations of the cyst lesions in the examined animals shows liver was the most predominant site in cattle 21(61.76%), sheep 18(78.26%) and goats 3(75.0%). For camels, lungs showed the most number of CE lesions 291(91.51%). Overall, the least number of hydatid cyst lesions were observed in the heart. There was significant association (p < 0.001) between the species of animals and infection. The public health importance of the disease and the findings were discussed.

Prevalence of Bovine Tuberculosis in Maidguri Nigeria –an abbattoire study

A survey on the prevalence of tuberculosis in cattle slaughtered in Maiduguri Central abattoir was carried out during the month of May to June 2008. This involves detailed investigation of the cattle slaughtered in the abattoir for the presence of tuberculous lesions, analysis and interpretation of the data obtained from abattoir records for the period under investigation. Out of the 265,722 cattle slaughtered during the period of the survey, 2,902(1.1%) were positive for pulmonary tuberculosis. The annual prevalence during the study varied between 0.5- 6.4%. The monthly (mean) prevalence of bovine tuberculosis was highest in the month of July, with prevalence rate of 1.4%. It was observed that there was no seasonal difference in the prevalence of bovine tuberculosis.Keywords: Mycobacterium bovis, retrospective, Bovine, tuberculosis, abattoir.

Periodic Variation in Trypanosoma Infection Rates in Trade Small Ruminants at Slaughter in Kaduna Central Abattoir

Periodic Variation in Trypanosoma Infection Rates in Trade Small Ruminants at Slaughter in Kaduna Central Abattoir

Seasonal Variation in Trypanosomosis Rates in Small Ruminants at the Kaduna Abattoir, Nigeria

Seasonal variation in trypanosome parasitological infection rates in small ruminants was studied at the Kaduna Central abattoir, North Central Nigeria. Blood samples were obtained at slaughter from 320 goats and 209 sheep during the dry and rainy seasons and examined using the Haematocrit Centrifugation Technique, Buffy coat method and Giemsa stained blood smears. The packed cell volume of the animals were also obtained. The over all trypanosome infection rate in all small ruminants was 2.10%. Infection rates in sheep and goats were 2.39% and 1.88% respectively. The infection rates were higher in rainy season than the dry season while Trypanosoma vivax was the dominant infecting trypanosome in all the ruminants followed by T.congolense and T. brucei. Infection rates observed here were relatively high and confirmed the resurgence of animal trypanosomosis in the country and its threat to sustainable livestock production. (Afr. J. Biomed. Res. 11: 229 - 232) Key Words: Trypanosomosis, infection-rates, season, Kaduna, Nigeria.

Aural Myiasis in A 2-Week Old Neonate - Case Report

Aural myiasis, particularly in neonate, is rare, and the average practitioner of pediatrics is less likely to see a case. We present a 2- week old male neonate seen at Federal Medical Centre, Azare, Bauchi State of Nigeria with four days history of left ear chocolate – colour discharge and inconsolable cry before presentation. He was a product of unsupervised home delivery at about 100 metres away from the central open abattoir of the town where the father works as a butcher. Based on the history of apparent ‘maggot' projecting from the left ear, a few drops of turpentine oil were instilled in the left ear. Four larvae of Tumbu fly (Condulobia anthropophaga) were subsequently removed with forceps. Following management was uneventful. Keywords : Myiasis, Neonate The Nigerian Medical Practitioner Vol. 52 (4) 2007: pp. 94-96

Experimental transmission of sarcocysts from cattle to mice.

A survey of sarcosporidiosis made in healthy cattle slaughtered at Omdurman Central Abattoir gave an infestation rate of 98 per cent. Transmission of sarcocysts from cattle to mice was accomplished thus confirming the absence of host specificity.

The influence of season on the ovulatory activity of Merino ewes slaughtered at a central abattoir

The ovulatory activity in Merino ewes from the central western and north-west plains of New South Wales was measured using material collected at Homebush Abattoir from March to November 1960. There were significant differences in ovulation rate and in the incidence of multiple ovulations between the two areas. The ovulation rate dropped from 1.38 in the autumn to 1.20 in the winter to 1.07 in the spring (P&lt;0.01). This resulted mainly from changes in the percentage incidence of anoestrous ewes: from 1.7 to 5.7 to 21.5 (P&lt;0.05).

Progeny testing of Suffolk rams on three maternal breeds

1. Six Suffolk rams (two purchased from each of three breeders) were each progeny tested on 10 Scottish Halfbred (Border Leicester ♂ × North Country Cheviot ♀), 10 Welsh and 10 Clun ewes. The progeny of the Clun ewes were reared at a different location from the progeny of the Halfbred and Welsh ewes.2. Progeny were weighed at birth and every 3 or 4 weeks thereafter so that 56 and 112 day weights could be calculated. Growth rate was considered for the periods 0–8 weeks, 8–16 weeks and 0–16 weeks. The growth rates were corrected for birth type and sex, but not for birth weight. The growth rates of a ram's progeny for a ewe type were converted into a deviation from the mean of all progeny of that ewe type, and measured in standard deviation units. An overall deviation for all ewe types for each ram was also calculated; 0–16 weeks was considered the best period over which to compare ram progeny performance and the difference between the best and worst ram for this trait represented 0·81 of a standard deviation or a 10% increase in growth rate for the progeny of the best ram over the progeny of the worst ram. There was some evidence of ram × ewe-type interaction for this trait.3. A number of progeny of each ram were sent to a central abattoir and dissected into commercial joints. All pieces were weighed and a total carcass value obtained by multiplying each joint weight by an average retail price per pound and summing. The total carcass value was converted to terms of yield in pence per pound. Subjective assessments were made for colour and texture of meat and for tenderness and flavour of cooked meat. There was little variation between ram progeny groups for any of the carcass traits.

ECHINOCOCCUS INFECTIONS IN MAN AND ANIMALS IN KENYA.

More than 30 per cent. of the cattle, sheep and goats slaughtered in the central abattoir of the Kenya Meat Commission have hydatid cysts in either the liver or the lungs; the rate is even higher in animals slaughtered in the rural abattoirs (Ginsberg, 1958; Froyd, 1960). In spite, however, of the wide distribution in livestock, hydatids are rarely seen in man, except in the northern desert region of Turkana where the disease is particularly prevalent (Wray, 1958). Both Ginsberg and Wray suggested that this limited distribution might be explained if the main hosts of the parasite were hyaenas and jackals, not dogs. This hypothesis was supported by the absence of previous records of Echinococcus in dogs in East Africa. In the present study on hydatid disease in Kenya, special emphasis was given to an assessment of the role of wild animals as reservoirs of the parasite. More than 100 carnivores were examined for the adult worms and nearly 2,000 miscellaneous animals were examined for the larval stages. Several wild animals were found to be lightly infected, but the main cycle of transmission was between dogs and domestic livestock. A few minor morphological differences were seen in the Kenya material, but it was concluded that the species in dogs and wild carnivores was Echinococcus granulosus.