Ogunbodede et al - advancedjournal.org

Advanced Journal of Agricultural Research
Vol. 2(001), pp. 001-007, January, 2014
ISSN: 2360-9354
©2014 Advanced Journals
http://www.advancedjournals.org/AJAR
Full Length Research Paper
Survey of gross abnormalities and microbial load on the female
reproductive tract of Maradi goats slaughtered at Bodija abattoir,
Nigeria
M. A. Ogunbodede1, G. M. Oladele2, O. J. Ode 2 and S. A. Ubah1
1
2
Department of Theriogenology, University of Abuja, Abuja, Nigeria.
Department of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Abuja, Abuja, Nigeria.
*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]
Submitted 29th June, 2013; Revised 21st January, 2014; Accepted 4th February, 2014
Ante-mortem and post-mortem examinations were conducted for investigation of the prevalence of gross
reproductive abnormalities in Red Sokoto Maradi does at Bodija abattoir Ibadan in Oyo State, Nigeria. The results
showed that out of the 3,500 does slaughtered, 530 (15.14%) had various genital lesions while older does (> 3 years)
had more gross lesions. It was deduced that the functional significance of many of the lesions, such as hydrosalpinx,
metritis, among others were likely to affect the fertility of these animals and may render them sterile. Bacteriologic
examinations conducted revealed the isolation of Actinomyces pyogenes from abscess in cervical wall, while both
Actinomyces pyogenes and Escherichia coli were isolated in abscess in the pyosalpinx. The sensitivity tests
conducted showed the susceptibility of the organisms to different antibiotics such as Nitrofuratoin (N), Tetracycline
(T), Cefuroxime (CXM), Chloramphenicol (C), Ciprofloxacin (CPX), Cotrimoxazole (CXT), Gentamycin (GN), Ceftazidine
(CAZ), Cefrotaxime (CTX), Penicillin (P), and Ceftriaxone (CRO). The prevalence of female genital abnormalities may
suggest that genital diseases are of serious limitation to goat production in Nigeria, if adequate measures are not
put in place to curtail its spread.
Key words: Gross abnormalities, female genitalia, red Sokoto goats.
INTRODUCTION
Protein plays a vital role in the growth and development
of human beings, and could be obtained from both
plants and animal sources. It was observed that drought
and natural disasters have caused a reduction in protein
supply from plant sources (FAO, 1989).
Nigeria is estimated to have 22.1 million sheeps and
34.5 million goats respectively about 63.9% of the total
grazing domestic livestock (Larmorde, 1997). Despite the
large population of goats in Nigeria, their productivity is
limited by management and diseases (Winter and
Dobson, 1992; Dan et al., 1997).
Attentions have been drawn to the deficiency in
animal protein in the diet of Nigerians; the average daily
animal protein consumption per head in Nigeria was put
at 15 g/day which is far less than the World Health
Organization recommendation of 35 g/day (Abdullahi,
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Adv. J. Agric. Res.
1985). However, Larmorde (1997) put the average daily
animal protein per head in Nigeria at 9.0 g/day.
The major sources of animal proteins are livestock
species like cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, poultry meat and
eggs, fish and wild game animals. The distribution of
small ruminants in Nigeria is not uniform because of the
high prevalence of tsetse fly in the forest zone in the
southern Nigeria. A report indicated that Guinea
Savannah zone has 34.0 and 39.3% of sheeps and goats
population, respectively, (Lufadeju et al., 1995), while
the population could be less in the most semi deciduous
forest zone.
Reproductive abnormalities play an important role in
animal breeding either by causing sub-fertility, infertility
or sterility, thus, resulting in heavy economic loss to the
livestock owners. These disorders are caused by
infectious, congenital or hereditary, nutritional or
environmental factors (Wekhe and Yahaya, 1999). Most
important among these abnormalities are hypoplasia of
any part of the reproductive system, cystic follicles,
mucometra, pelvic abscess, hydrosalpinx, tubal adhesion
ovarobursal adhesion, cervical abscess, (Erickson, 1938;
Spriggs, 1968; Roberts,1971; Ribadu et al., 1998).
Information on reproductive disorders is essential for
diagnosis, control and treatment of infertility and low
productivity in livestock. The objectives of the study
were; to identify the major gross abnormalities on the
reproductive organs of Maradi does, carry out bacteriological examination and identification on microbes
responsible for major lesions, perform antibiotic sensitivity test on some common bacterial organisms
associated with reproductive diseases in does and to
obtain baseline data useful for the effective control of
reproductive disorders in goats.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The survey was carried out in the Oyo state government
owned Bodija central abattoir in Ibadan which is located
at distance of about 3 km away from the University of
Ibadan, Nigeria. Ibadan the capital of Oyo state is
between latitude 7 and 47° north and longitude 3° east;
while the central abattoir lies between latitude 7° north
and 3° east.
Method of sample collection
Collection time was usually between 0700 and 0900 h.
Each animal was aged by dentition according to the
method described by Williamson and Payne (1984). The
animals were classified into four age groups 6 to 12, 13
to 24, 25 to 36 and above 36 months. Animals used for
this study were examined by external ballotment to
identify pregnant ones, which were disregarded in the
study.
Post-mortem examination involved the assessment of
the relative anatomical conformation of the genital
tracts in situ and later removed from the pelvic cavity
with all the structures of female genital tracts intact.
Abnormalities in either shape, or size were noted. Ten
(10) reproductive tracts were collected on Mondays
through Saturdays for eight weeks.
On the day of collection, the samples were collected
and placed in a sterilized container and taken to the
laboratory of the Department of Veterinary Surgery and
Reproduction, University of Ibadan, which is a short
distance to the abattoir for detailed laboratory
examination.
Laboratory examinations
Each reproductive tract was opened by cutting with a
pair of scissors, starting from the vulva, into the vagina
through the cervix and uterine body into each horn and
finally the ovaries. Each specimen was grossly examined
in the laboratory to determine the nature of the
reproductive abnormalities and their location. The
colour, shape, size and consistency of the lesions found
on the reproductive tract were used as basis for the
diagnosis of various abnormalities.
Bacteriological examination, identification and isolation
of pure cultures
In cases of pyosalpinx and cervical abscess, pus samples
were aseptically collected with a sterile swab stick
(Evapon industries Nigeria limited), National Agency of
Food, Drug, Administration and Control (NAFDAC)
Registration Number 03-0482 separately. The swab
sticks containing the specimen (pus) were used to make
inoculums on both Blood and MacConkey’s agar (Fluka
Biochemical, Germany).
The media were prepared according to the
manufacturer’s instruction. The part of the inoculums
were then streaked out or plated out using sterile wire
Ogunbodede et al.
003
Table 1. Prevalence of some Reproductive abnormalities in Red Sokoto does.
Gross/lesion prevalence
Ovarobursal adhesion
Inactive ovaries
Mucometra
Tubal adhesion
Pyosalpinx
Metritis
Bilateral hydrosalpinx
Unilateral hydrosalpinx
Perimetritis
Unilateral ovarian atrophy
Bilateral follicular cyst
Cystic corpus luteum
Cervical abscesses
Salpingitis
Unilateral follicular cyst
Cervicitis
Uterine oederna
Total
loop intermittently flamed and applied into the media to
allow the spread of bacteria on the media and also
ensure the production of discrete colonies.
Colony morphology on MacConkey’s and Blood agar
showed large colonies (2 to 3 mm) round and smooth
glistering domes were observed. These colonies showed
haemolytic action on blood agar and produced pink
colonies and lactose fermentation on MacConkey’s agar.
Gram stain was carried out according to Cowan and
Steel (1990). Colonies were gram stained and observed
under × 100 lens. Samples from pyosalpinx Gram stain
showed long slender rods arranged in singles and pairs,
and Gram stain also showed Gram positive, branching
filaments which stained irregularly and often appear to
be fragmented.
In Ziehl-Neelsen stain, smears of crushed granules the
branches were not acid fast, but the club- shape forms
that surround the colony are acid fast. In Gram stain, the
clubs are Gram negative and this confirmed Actinomyces
pyogenes. Gram negative organisms from nutrient broth
was streaked out using sterile wire loop and applied to
nutrient agar to allow the spread of bacteria in nutrient
agar (Biotec, United Kingdom).
Colonies obtained were sub-cultured in Eosinmethylene blue agar plates and incubated at 37°C for 24
h; metallic sheen black colonies were obtained which
confirmed Escherichia coli. Biochemical tests showed
that it is indole positive and oxidase negative.
Number of cases
68
46
45
38
36
34
33
32
30
29
28
27
24
20
19
11
10
530
Percentage (%)
1.94
1.31
1.29
1.09
1.03
0.97
0.94
0.91
0.86
0.83
0.80
0.77
0.69
0.57
0.54
0.31
0.29
15.14
The swab of each isolate from the nutrient broth was
smeared out on Nutrient agar and a multi-antibiotic
sensitivity disc was placed on the smeared surface of
nutrient agar using a sterile thumb forceps. All the plates
were then incubated at 37°C for 24 h after which a
millimeter rule was used to measure the diameter sizes;
the zones of inhibition were divided into slightly
sensitive, moderately sensitive, sensitive and resistant.
The test was repeated thrice to check for consistency of
results.
Data collection and analysis
Records were used to generate data on age and types of
reproductive abnormality. Prevalence of abnormalities
was determined using the relationship:
Prevalence rate (PR) = Number of does affected × 100
Total number of goats
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The result of the prevalence study of the reproductive
abnormalities is as shown in Table 1 while Table 2 shows
the abnormalities with regards to the age of the animal
and Table 3 shows the susceptibility tests of the isolates.
Figures 1 to 4 shows some of the abnormalities recorded
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Adv. J. Agric. Res.
Table 2. Reproductive abnormalities between different age group of Red Sokoto (Maradi) does.
Age (months) affected
Number examined
Number affected
Percentage (%)
264
693
1156
1387
3,500
40
105
175
210
530
1.43
3
5
6
15.143
6 < 12
13 – 24
s25 – 36
Above 36
Total
Table 3. Susceptibility of the bacterial isolates to antimicrobial agents.
Bacteria Isolates
Escherichia coli
Actinomyces pyogenes
N
+
++
T
-
CXM
+++
++
C
-
CPX
+++
+++
CXT
-
CRO
++
+++
GN
++
-
CAZ
+++
+
CTX
++
+++
P
++
-
- = Negative/resistant, + = mildly susceptible, ++ = moderately susceptible, +++ = highly susceptible, N = nitrofuratoin, T=
tetracycline, CXM = cefuroxime, C = chloramphenicol, CPX= ciprofloxacin, CXT = cotrimoxazole, CRO = ceftriaxone, GN =
gentamycin, CAZ = ceftazidine, CTX = cefotaxime and P = penicillin.
Figure 1. Ovarobursal adhesion (a) = Major
ovarobursal adhesion and (b) = minor
ovarobursal adhesion.
Ogunbodede et al.
Figure 2. Pyosalpinx (a) = Pyosalpinx and (b) =
cervical abscess.
Figure 3. Unilateral hydrosalpinx (a) = Left ovary, (b)
= right ovary and (c) = unilateral hydrosalpinx.
during the study.
The highest prevalence of reproductive abnormalities
in this study is ovarobursal adhesion. This condition
seems to be sequel to chronic pelvic inflammatory
005
Figure 4. Mucometra (a) = Mucus and b = uterine horn.
reaction sequential to previous abortions or post-partum
complications. The adhesion can be classified as minor
or major adhesions (Arthur et al., 1989).
The incidence of ovarobursal adhesion 68 (1.94%) is
lower than the 16 (8%) recorded in cows in Northern
Jordan, (Fathalla et al., 1994) for cattle. The cause of the
difference may be due to the fact that Northern Jordan
is an arid country and cows are kept on feedlot, not
pastoral and under nourishment may be the main cause
of such an abnormality.
Nutritional deficiency and low energy diets were the
major cause of inactive ovaries observed in cows during
post-partum period, and anestrus preservice cows
(Alam, 1984). Mucometra as reported in this study is
1.29% higher than 0.51% as reported for pig by Obwolo
and Lawson (1992) and it is also within the range
previously reported by Nawito (1973) and Abdul et al.
(1988) who reported 1.49 and 1.2% respectively.
The variation in this report with other studies might be
due to environmental factors. Tubal adhesion as
reported in this study is 1.09% which is higher than 0.8%
as reported for ewe by Winter and Dobson (1982); this
could be as a result of smaller number of samples (129)
used for their study, and could also be due to
environmental factors.
The overall prevalence of pyosalpinx in this study is
1.03% which is higher than the prevalence of 0.05% as
reported by Abdul et al. (1988); a higher prevalence of
006
Adv. J. Agric. Res.
1.2% was recorded in an investigation with camel in
Maiduguri, Nigeria, by Ribadu et al. (1998). Samples
collected from pyosalpinx Gram stained showed E. coli
and A. pyogenes as isolates that invade the tissues by a
way of wound incurred during parturition resulting in
postpartum complications.
The low prevalence of metritis, bilateral hydrosalpinx,
unilateral hydrosalpinx, perimetritis and unilateral
atrophy of the ovary, could be due to existing breeding
practice where inbreeding is reduced to its lowest level.
Hydrosalpinx is considered to be an irreversible stage
of inflammatory conditions and can make the animal
sterile. The overall prevalence of hydrosalpinx recorded
in this study is lower than previously reported by Ansari
(1978) and Long (1980). These earlier reports ascribed it
to endocrine disorders or imbalance. The variation in
prevalence from other studies could be attributed to
different management and nutritional conditions that
vary from one location to another.
The prevalence of unilateral follicular cyst and bilateral
follicular cyst are 0.54 and 0.80% respectively and are
higher than 0.14 and 0.43% as reported for pigs by
Obwolo and Lawson (1982). The prevalence in follicular
cyst in this study is also lower than 1.3% reported by
Ahmed et al. (1987), due to management and nutritional
conditions that vary from one location to another.
Dzhurova et al. (1985) reported 6% for ewes which is
higher than that reported for this study. The earlier
adduced variation could be due to environmental
factors. The prevalence of cystic corpus luteum in this
study is 0.77% which is lower than 2% reported for cow
by Fathalla et al. (1994), 12.07% reported for cow by
Alam (1984) and also 24% reported for cow by Winter
and Dobson (1992). Variation in various reports could be
due to management and environmental factors.
The prevalence of cervical abscess is 0.69% which is
very low, and may result from postpartum complications
as samples collected from cervical abscess. Salpingitis
and cervicitis are inflammatory conditions of the salpinx
and cervix respectively and in this study, the prevalence
rate is 0.57 and 0.31% respectively. Uterine oedema has
a prevalence rate of 0.29% and is the least prevalence
rate in this study.
Age had significant (P<0.05) influence on the
occurrence of reproductive abnormalities in Maradi
goats (Table 1) and this means that age is an important
intrinsic factor that contributes to the distribution of
reproductive disorder. This is in line with the observation
of Butswat et al. (2001) that susceptibility to reproduc-
tive disease increases with age. Thus, does more than 36
months of age should be cautiously used for breeding.
Conclusion
This study will give an added knowledge which could
hopefully lead to the evolvement of effective treatment
and control strategies aimed at further reducing the
incidence of female infertility. It will eventually lead to
an improvement in the protein content of the diets of
the populace, and also improve and empower the
economic viability of Nigerians, especially, those in the
livestock industry.
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