Serum Biochemical Changes Observed in Apparently Healthy Cattle and Those with Bovine Fasciolosis in Maiduguri Abattoir” Borno State Nigeria

The objectives of the study was to evaluate some serum biochemical changes in cattle naturally infected with Fasciola species at Maiduguri Abattoir and to determine the association between serum biochemical parameters with breed, sex and body condition score of apparently healthy cattle. A total number of 25 randomly selected cattle were used for this study based on different body condition score and sex groups. The breeds of cattle studied were: Wadara, Red bororo (or Rahaji), Ambala, Sokoto Gudali, Kuri and Arbore. Blood samples from all animals were carefully collected during slaughter in an anticoagulant bottle (EDTA as anticoagulant), labelled and mixed properly. Total plasma protein was determined using the refractometry method. Minerals such as sodium, potassium were determined by flame photometry, while bicarbonate and chloride were determined by titration method using the serum that was centrifuged. The findings of this study showed that there were no differences between the biochemical parameters of healthy cattle and fasciolosis infected cattle. Similarly, there were no differences in biochemical parameters as it relates to breed, sex and body condition score of apparently healthy cattle.