1Department of Veterinary Surgery and Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
2Artificial Insemination Unit, National Animal Production Research Institute, Shika, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
3Department of Biochemistry, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
Congenital Ocular Defects in Bunaji-Friesian Calves Associated with Vitamin A Deficiency in Settled Cattle Herds in Zaria, Northern Nigeria.
*Correspondence Author: Dr. Iyorhemba Utim Ate, Department of Veterinary Surgery and Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Tel.: 08037033082; 08065609268, E-mail: utimphd@yahoo.com
An investigation of reproductive disorders including congenital defects of cattle was carried out in settled cattle herds in Zaria, Northern Nigeria. Congenital blindness and cataracts were observed in 2 of 8 (22%) of the herds studied with an overall prevalence of 10.91%. The overall prevalence of the individual defects was 2.87% and 8.05% for congenital blindness and cataract, respectively. The affected herds (I and II) had a total prevalence of 16.05% and 75.0% respectively with 92.31% of the defects being cataracts in herd I and 66.67% of the defects in herd IV being blindness. The prepartum serum levels of beta-carotene of cows in herds with calf congenital defects were significantly (P<0.05) lower than those without the defects (8.94 mg/1 vs. 12.88 mg/1), suggesting that vitamin A deficiency was involved as a causal factor. However, the postpartum serum beta - carotene levels of the two groups of cows (10.02 mg/1 vs. 11.91 mg/1) did not differ significantly (P>0.05). There was an apparent increase in the level of serum beta - carotene following parturition in both groups. This study has shown that congenital defects associated with prepartum vitamin A deficiency exist in settled cattle herds in Zaria thus limiting cattle productivity. It is recommended that a more detailed and large scale investigation is carried out on congenital defects, involvement of vitamin A and other factors of the defects in the area.
