Gross and Histopathological Evaluation of Reproductive Organ Lesions in Female Cattle at Kano Central Abattoir

Reproductive pathology in cattle is a primary driver of economic losses through infertility, reduced calving rates, and premature culling in Nigeria's North West geopolitical zone. This descriptive survey evaluated gross and histopathological lesions in the reproductive organs of female cattle slaughtered at Kano Central Abattoir, Kano State, from March to September 2023. Female reproductive tracts were collected from 160 slaughtered cows and thoroughly examined macroscopically. Organs exhibiting abnormalities were sampled, fixed in buffered formalin, and processed for histopathological staining with haematoxylin and eosin, and periodic acid-Schiff for mucin detection. Lesions were identified in 47.5 percent of examined tracts. Follicular cysts were the most common ovarian finding (32.9%), followed by periovarian adhesions (21.1%). Uterine pathologies included endometritis characterised by lymphoplasmacytic infiltration of the endometrial stroma (28.9%), cystic endometrial hyperplasia (14.5%), and pyometra (10.5%). Cervical adhesions were observed in 8.2 percent of affected tracts. These findings suggest that infectious and nutritional factors are significant contributors to bovine reproductive failure in Kano State. The data corroborate recent findings on reproductive wastage in Sahel and Sudan Savanna cattle populations. The study recommends implementation of systematic reproductive health monitoring programs at abattoirs and improved nutritional support for breeding cows across cattle markets in the North West zone. Keywords: reproductive pathology, cattle, endometritis, ovarian cysts, Kano