Foetal Wastage Through Slaughtering of Pregnant Cows in Zaria, Nigeria

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the causes and effects of foetal wastage in the Nigerian cattle industry due to indiscriminate slaughter of pregnant cows in Zaria abattoir, Nieria. A total of 7,812 cattle were slaughtered in the abattoir, with a total of 236 (6.78%) foetuses recovered from January to December, 2008. The highest number of foetal recovery was obtained in January and May with the values of 36 and 39 foetuses, respectively. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) between the foetuses recovered and the months. The highest number recovered was during the first trimester and it accounted for 43.22% of the total number of foetal recovery during the period while the values obtained at the second and last trimesters accounted for 32.62% and 24.15%, respectively. Reproductive tract of each cow was examined using rectal palpation pre-slaughter for the presence of pregnancy, right and left side containing single, twins or triplets. The results showed that 8.1% of cows slaughtered in the abattoir were at various levels of pregnancy with a single foetus.

Key words: Pregnancy, foetal wastage, slaughtered cattle, abattoir, Zaria, Nigeria