Full Length Research Paper
Abstract
The present study was conducted on the zootechnical characterization and ovarian potential of Kouri cows slaughtered in four slaughterhouses in the Lake Chad region. For this purpose, a total of 100 cycled cows and 20 pregnant cows were used. Before each cow was slaughtered, its age, weight and body condition score were determined. At the slaughterhouse, the ovaries were removed and transported in a portable cooler at room temperature in the laboratory for analysis. In the laboratory, after removing tissue debris from the ovaries, they were weighed and the follicles presented on the surface of the ovary were counted and measured with a caliper and classified into three categories: small (?<3 mm), medium (3≤?≤8 mm), and wide (?>8 mm). For pregnant cows, the weight and age of the fetus was determined. The body condition score determined before slaughtering the cows helped to classify cow into three categories: lean: 1-2, medium: 3, and fat: 5. As results, the average age of these cows is 4.8 years old, the average weight is 356.17 kg, and the body condition score is 3.90. The pregnant cows were 4 to 6 years old. Apart from the fact that the number of small follicles increased, the other ovarian characteristics considered were not significantly influenced by the age of the cattle at slaughter. Ovarian weights increased with body condition score 5 (p≤0.05) and the number of follicles of any size was not significantly influenced (p≤0.05) by the body condition score. The number of follicles in any size was not significantly influenced (p≤0.05) by slaughter weight. Thus, the Kouri cows slaughtered in the four slaughterhouses of Lake Chad region are young cows with a large follicular stock that can be used to produce embryos in vitro.
Key words: Kouri cows, Lake Chad region, follicular population, ovarian potential, body condition score.
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