Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia-Associated Fetal Wastage and Meat Quality Compromise in Cattle Slaughtered at Dr Abubakar Saraki Memorial Abattoir, Kwara State, Nigeria

  • Isaac Dayo Olorunshola University of Ilorin, Nigeria, Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
  • Shukrah Omotayo Ghal Dr AbubakarSaraki Memorial Abattoir (DRASSMA), Kwara State Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development https://orcid.org/0009-0003-5078-689X
  • Andrew Raymond Peters cSupporting Evidence Based Interventions (SEBI). Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh. Easter Bush Campus. EH25 9RG. UK. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6273-2862
  • David Sunday Adegboye Department of Biology, Southern University at New Orleans, 6400 Press Drive, New Orleans, LA 70126, USA. https://orcid.org/0009-0009-9243-6736

Abstract

Contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP) is still endemic in Nigeria. The Mycoplasma Unit of the Department of Veterinary Microbiology, University of Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria, has completed an 18-month investigation of CBPP cases encountered at the main city abattoir. Investigation was with special emphasis on fetal wastes, physical and health conditions of cattle presented for slaughter at the abattoir. Blood and tissues samples were obtained during ante mortem and postmortem examinations for laboratory investigations and diagnosis of CBPP were based on classical pathological lesions and culture of Mycoplasma organism identified serologically as M. mycoides subsp. mycoides from lung lesions and pleural fluids obtained from the cattle. From a total of 41,069 cattle slaughtered, 40,075 (97.6%) were cows from which 6,699 fetuses were encountered, and 963 (2.3%) were bulls. Thus, an average of 372 fetuses was wastedeach month at the abattoir. Of the 40,075 cows slaughtered, 913 (2.3%) were CBPP-positive and carried 153 fetuses. Most cows carried twin fetuses.We estimate that each fetal wastage is equivalent to 50,000 Naira losses to the farmer, and each emaciated animal slaughtered is a loss of approximately 200,000 Naira.Studies are warranted to determine annual national economic losses resulting from slaughtering emaciated cattle that are often discovered to be pregnant, and propose strategies to address the avoidable revenue loss. Keywords: Abattoir, Cattle, CBPP, Fetal wastes, Meat quality

Author Biographies

Shukrah Omotayo Ghal, Dr AbubakarSaraki Memorial Abattoir (DRASSMA), Kwara State Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development
Veterinary Officer
Andrew Raymond Peters, cSupporting Evidence Based Interventions (SEBI). Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh. Easter Bush Campus. EH25 9RG. UK.
Prof Director Supporting Evidence Based Interventions (SEBI). Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh. Easter Bush Campus. EH25 9RG. UK.
David Sunday Adegboye, Department of Biology, Southern University at New Orleans, 6400 Press Drive, New Orleans, LA 70126, USA.
Former DVC Academics. Department of Biology, Southern University at New Orleans, 6400 Press Drive, New Orleans, LA 70126, USA.
Published
2025-06-26
How to Cite
1.
Olorunshola I, Ghal S, Peters A, Adegboye D. Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia-Associated Fetal Wastage and Meat Quality Compromise in Cattle Slaughtered at Dr Abubakar Saraki Memorial Abattoir, Kwara State, Nigeria. Journal of Agricultural and Biomedical Sciences [Internet]. 26Jun.2025 [cited 5Jul.2025];9(2). Available from: https://journals.unza.zm/index.php/JABS/article/view/1343
Section
Veterinary Medicine