ASSESSMENT OF CHANGES IN PHYSIOLOGICAL PARAMETERS AND IMMUNE MARKER LEVELS IN ANIMALS PRESENTED FOR SLAUGHTER AT IKPA NSUKKA SLAUGHTER ABATTOIR

Abstract

The objectives of the study were to determine the changes in physiological parameters such as heart rate, pulse rate, respiratory rate and rectal temperature) and to assess the changes in immune marker levels like total leucocyte count, differential leucocyte count and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio) of animals presented for slaughter at Ikpa slaughter slab. Physiological parameters of the cattle were determined using conventional methods. Blood was collected from 40 cattle at two stages: 1) pre-slaughter and 2) during slaughter. A significant increase in the physiological parameters at slaughter compared to the pre-slaughter in the both sex groups of the bovine species was noted. A slight increase in the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio in the different sex groups at pre-slaughter and slaughter were observed. However, the increase was not statistically significant. It can be concluded from this study that changes in vital parameters (heart rate, pulse rate and respiratory rate) are more indicative of acute stress which is associated with slaughter processes in Ikpa abattoir