Parasite prevalence, nutritionally-related blood metabolites and pre-slaughter stress response in Nguni, Bonsmara and Angus steers raised on veld
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Date
2007
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University of Fort Hare
Abstract
The effects of month on body weight, body condition scores, internal parasite prevalence
and on nutritionally related blood metabolites were studied in Angus, Bonsmara and
Nguni steers raised on sweet veld. Pre-slaughter stress was also determined using
catecholamines, cortisol, dopamine, packed cell volume and serum creatinine levels. The blood chemical constituents evaluated included glucose, cholesterol, total protein,
creatinine, urea, globulin, albumin, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, aspartate amino
transferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and creatinine kinase (CK). The Nguni
steers maintained their body condition throughout the study period whereas Angus steers had the least body condition scores. Parasite levels were high during the rainy season and low during the dry season. The predominant internal parasites were Haemonchus (39.3%), Trichostrongylus (37.8%), Cooperia pectinita (25.5%), Fasciola gigantica (16.3%) and Ostertagia ostertagi (11.2%). The Nguni had the least parasite infestation levels and had high PCV levels. Nguni had higher levels of cholesterol and glucose (2.86 and 4mmol/l, respectively) than the other two breeds. Nguni and Bonsmara steers had higher (P<0.05) mineral levels. There were significant breed and month differences for glucose, cholesterol, creatinine, calcium, albumin, phosphorus, albumin-globulin ratio and ALP levels. Bonsmara was more susceptible to transport and pre-slaughter stress as it had the highest (P<0.05) levels of adrenalin (10.8nmol/mol), noradrenalin (9.7nmol/mol) and dopamine (14.8nmol/mol) levels, whereas the Nguni had the least levels of adrenalin (6.5nmol/mol), noradrenalin (4.6nmol/mol) and dopamine (4nmol/mol) levels. In conclusion, Nguni steers were better adapted to the local environmental conditions.
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Keywords
Parasites -- Nguni cattle, Bonsmara cattle -- Metabolite, Slaughtering and slaughter houses, Aberdeen -- Angus cattle