Assessment of changes in physiological parameters and immune marker levels in cattle presented for slaughter at Ikpa Nsukka slaughter abattoir

There is dearth of information on the use of physiological parameters and immune marker levels as indices of stress in cattle presented for slaughter. The objectives of the study were to determine the changes in physiological parameters such as heart rate, pulse rate, respiratory rate, rectal temperature and to assess the changes in immune marker levels like total leucocyte count, differential leucocyte count and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio as indices of stress in cattle presented for slaughter at Ikpa slaughter slab. The heart and pulse rates were determined using stethoscope and first and second fingertips count respectively. The rectal temperature (oC) was determined using digital thermometer while the respiratory rate (breaths/minutes) was determined by counting the number of breaths per minute. Blood was collected from 40 cattle at two stages: 1) pre-slaughter and 2) during slaughter. The pre- slaughter and post-slaughter mean values of heart rates in the male cattle were 80.00±7.48 and 112.50±2.87 respectively. The pre-slaughter and post-slaughter mean values of heart rates in the female cattle were 51.33±1.76 and 64.00±2.31 respectively. The pre-slaughter and post-slaughter mean values of respiratory rates in the male cattle were 79.00±6.61 and 33.00±2.52 and 47.00±1.00 respectively. The pre-slaughter and post-slaughter mean values of respiratory rates in the female cattle were 30.67±1.33 and 41.33±3.53 respectively. The pre-slaughter and post-slaughter mean values of rectal temperature in the male cattle were 37.55±0.09 and 38.48±0.13 and 47.00±1.00 respectively. The pre-slaughter and post- slaughter mean values of rectal temperature in the female cattle were 38.63±0.18 and 38.60±0.06 respectively. A slight non-significant increase in the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio in the different sex groups at pre-slaughter and slaughter were observed. In conclusion, changes in heart rate, pulse rate and respiratory rate are more indicative of acute stress which is associated with slaughter processes in Ikpa abattoir.     Il n y a guerre d'information sur l'utilisation des parametres physiologiques et des niveaux de marqueur immunitaire comme indices de stress chez les bovins presentes pour l'abattage. Les objectifs de l'etude etaient de determiner les changements dans les parametres physiologiques tels que la frequence cardiaque, le pouls, la frequence respiratoire, la temperature rectale et d'evaluer les changements dans les niveaux de marqueur immunitaire comme le nombre total de leucocytes, le nombre differentiel de leucocytes et le rapport neutrophile/lymphocyte comme indices de stress chez les bovins presentes pour l'abattage a la dalle d'abattage Ikpa. Les frequences cardiaques ont ete determinees a l'aide du stethoscope et le premier et le deuxieme doigts comptent respectivement. La temperature rectale (le 'OC') a ete determinee a l'aide d'un thermometre numerique, tandis que la frequence respiratoire (respirations/minutes) a ete determinee en comptant le nombre d'respirations par minute. Le sang a ete preleve sur 40 bovins a deux etapes : 1) avant l'abattage et 2) pendant l'abattage. Les valeurs moyennes des frequences cardiaques chez les bovins mâles avant l'abattage et apres l'abattage etaient respectivement de 80.00 ±7.48 et 112.50±2.87 milliards. Les valeurs moyennes des frequences cardiaques chez les bovins femelles avant l'abattage et apres l'abattage etaient respectivement de 51.33 ±1.76 et 64.00±2.31. Les valeurs moyennes des taux respiratoires chez les bovins mâles avant l'abattage et apres l'abattage etaient respectivement de 79.00±6.61 et 33.00±2.52 et 47.00±1.00. Les valeurs moyennes des taux respiratoires chez les bovins femelles avant l'abattage et apres l'abattage etaient de 30.67 ±1.33 et 41.33±3.53 milliards respectivement. Les valeurs moyennes de temperature rectale avant l'abattage et apres l'abattage chez les bovins mâles etaient respectivement de 37.55±0.09 et 38.48±0.13 et 47.00±1.00. Les valeurs moyennes de la temperature rectale avant l'abattage et apres l'abattage chez les bovins femelles etaient respectivement de 38.63±0.18 et 38.60±0.06. Une legere augmentation non significative du rapport neutrophile/lymphocyte dans les differents groupes sexuels au pre-abattage et a l'abattage a ete observee. En conclusion, les changements de la frequence cardiaque, de la frequence cardiaque et de la frequence respiratoire sont plus revelateurs du stress aigu associe aux processus d'abattage a l'abattoir Ikpa.