Source and breed variation in reproductive abnormalities of Zambian cattle

ABSTRACT

The genitalia of three indigenous breeds of cattle in Zambia [347 Angoni, 428 Barotse and 767 Tonga] reared under the traditional system of management were compared to four pure exotic commercial breeds [175 Afrikander, 275 Boran, 414 Friesian and 145 Sussex] and their crosses [625] to study the sector and breed variations in reproductive abnormalities. The traditional sector had higher values of genital abnormalities [64.30% of cows and 46.73% of bulls] than the commercial herds [54.50% of cows and 28.33% of bulls]. Breed variations of genital malformations were discussed. Hypoplastic ovaries and testes had higher incidence in traditional [2.85% and 4.93% of bulls] than the commercial cattle [1.15% of cows and 0.20% of bulls], respectively. Inactive ovaries are higher in the former [13.58%] than in the latter [7.42%], on the other hand, cystic ovaries are lower in the traditional sector [1.61%] than the commercial one [4.05%]. Four cases of developmental abnormalities of Mullerian ducts were reported in traditional cows and two in the Friesian breed. Prolapse of preputial opening of Boran bulls was reported as a single abnormality [17.70%], which may be due to inbreeding in the imported Kenyan breed for its long triangular preputial sheath. Poor reproductive care was pronounced in Zambian cattle particularly in the traditional sector