Major causes of slaughtering of female cattle in Addis Ababa Abattoir Enterprise, Ethiopia

To study the major causes of slaughtering of female cattle in Addis Ababa Abattoir Enterprise, 235 female cattle to be slaughtered were examined for ante and post mortem. Close observation was given to udder and reproductive organs. Of the total 235 female cattle that came for slaughtering, the most prevalent reason of culling, accounted for 39.1%, were reproductive problems of which 36.6% were anoestrus cows and 28% were repeat breeders. The second most frequently recorded reason, accounted for 32.3% was associated with udder problems followed by low milk yield, age, lameness and others with the occurrence rate of 5.9%, 11.4%, 3.4% and 8.1%, respectively. From the total female cattle genitalia examined in the slaughter house 31.5% were found with one or more gross abnormalities of which ovarian abnormalities accounted for 15.3% were the major ones followed by uterine 10.7%, and oviductal and cervico-vaginal abnormalities 3.4% each. Of the total lesions, ovario-bursal adhesions 8.1%, endometritis 6.4% and ovaian cyst 5.5% were the first three predominant abnormalities recorded. In the present study, parity and age of animals showed statistically significant association (P<0.05) with the occurrence of overall reproductive abnormalities. The current study also revealed that reproductive tract abnormalities and mastitis had considerable impact on the productive and reproductive performance of female cattle.