Haematological and Biochemical Profiles of Stressed and Non-Stressed Cattle During Transportation in Nigeria

This study characterises the haematological and biochemical stress response of cattle during road transportation in Nigeria, quantifying the severity of transport stress and identifying management factors that modulate stress outcomes. Transport stress imposes significant welfare costs on cattle and causes production losses including weight loss, increased disease susceptibility, and meat quality deterioration. In Nigeria, where cattle are transported over long distances under conditions that may be sub-optimal, understanding the physiological magnitude of transport stress is important for improving animal welfare regulations and industry practices. This study monitors blood parameters in 80 Bunaji steers transported over distances of 100, 300, and 600 kilometres under prevailing commercial conditions from Sokoto to Lagos, comparing pre-transport values with measurements at transport completion and 24 and 72 hours post-transport recovery. Haematological parameters (PCV, Hb, WBC, differential counts) and biochemical parameters (cortisol, glucose, creatine kinase, aspartate aminotransferase, electrolytes) are measured. Vehicle type and stocking density are recorded. Findings reveal significant stress responses proportional to transport distance, with cortisol peaking at 3.8 times baseline values after 600 kilometre transport. Creatine kinase elevation indicates muscle damage in 44 percent of animals transported at high density. Recovery to baseline haematological values requires 72 hours in all distance groups. Stocking density below 350 kilograms per square metre significantly reduces stress biomarker levels. The study recommends maximum stocking density regulations and mandatory rest stops with water provision at 300 kilometre intervals for Nigerian livestock transport.

Keywords: transport stress, cattle, haematological profile, cortisol, Nigeria.