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Prof. Festus Abonyi
Department of Animal Health and Production, University of Nigeria, Nsukka

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0 Porc
0 hémiorchidectomie
0 testicules
0 sanglier
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Short Biography

BIOGRAPHY RE: ABONYI, FESTUS OTAKA Festus Otaka Abonyi (PhD), is an Associate Professor of Animal Health and Production at the University of Nigeria Nsukka. His career objectives are to build capacity, provide leadership and mentorship to students, fellow professionals and other related experts with the ability to apply biomedical knowledge and skills to alleviate animal suffering, improve livestock productivity and ensure food security. Thus, helping them actively participate in national, regional and international livestock disease control programmes. He is a former Head, Department of Animal Health and Production, Consultant in Swine Nutrition, Health and Management to the University of Nigeria Veterinary Teaching Hospital. The co-author is actively involved in teaching and research and has research focus on swine nutrition, health and management. Dr Abonyi has received the following academic awards: Federal Ministry of Education Scholarship in 2001, University of Nigeria Senate Research Grant in 2007 and Innovators of tomorrow by the World Bank in 2008. He has 33 publications, 21 conference paper presentations and 98 citations. The author is a registered Veterinarian, Fellow, College of Veterinary Surgeons Nigeria (FCVSN), member of Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA), Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and International Society for Development and Sustainability (ISDS), Japan. He is married with children.

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Journal article
Published: 05 June 2021 in Foods
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The increase in the slaughter of pregnant cows (SPCs) for meat (except as may be approved by veterinarians on health grounds to salvage the animal) is unethical. SPCs for meat is also counterproductive, detrimental to food security, and may enhance zoonotic disease transmission. In this context, therefore, this current study examined slaughter conditions and the slaughtering of pregnant cows, and the implications for meat quality, food safety, and food security in Southeast Nigeria. The direct observational method was employed to examine the slaughterhouse activities, from when the cattle arrived at the lairage to the post-slaughter stage. A pre-tested and validated closed-ended-questionnaire was used to elicit information on causes of the SPCs and the method of disposal of eviscerated foetuses. Pregnancy status of cows slaughtered was determined by palpation followed by visual examination of the eviscerated and longitudinal incised uteri. The study lasted for six months during which 851 cows out of 1931 slaughtered cattle were surveyed. Assessment/decision-making protocol of slaughterhouse conditions, welfare conditions of slaughter-cattle, reasons for sale or slaughter of pregnant cows, distribution of pregnant cows slaughtered, method of disposal of eviscerated foetuses, and estimated economic losses of SPCs were delineated. Of the 851 cows examined, 17.4% (148/851) were pregnant while 43.2% (64/148) of the total foetuses recovered were in their third trimester. Major reasons adduced for SPCs by proportion of involved respondents were: ignorance of the animals’ pregnancy status (69.7%, 83/119), high demand for beef (61.3%, 73/119), preference for large-sized cattle (47.9%, 57/119), economic hardship (52.1%, 62/119) and diseases conditions (42.9%. 51/119). The conduct of SPCs for meat would not be profitable. This is because within six months, an estimated loss of about 44,000 kg of beef, equivalent to ₦ 70.1 million or $186,400 would be associated with SPCs and the consequential foetal wastages. If losses were to be replicated nationwide across slaughterhouses, 4.3 tons of beef estimated at ₦ 8.6 billion or $23 million would be wasted. Improving slaughter conditions and the welfare of slaughter-cattle in Nigerian slaughterhouses through advocacy, training of slaughterhouse workers, and strict implementation of laws promoting humane slaughter practices is imperative. Preventing SPCs for meat and inhumane slaughter practices at the slaughterhouse would enhance the welfare needs of slaughter cattle, grow the national herd size, and improve meat safety as well as food security.

ACS Style

Ugochinyere Njoga; Emmanuel Njoga; Obichukwu Nwobi; Festus Abonyi; Henry Edeh; Festus Ajibo; Nichodemus Azor; Abubakar Bello; Anjani Upadhyay; Charles Okpala; Małgorzata Korzeniowska; Raquel Guiné. Slaughter Conditions and Slaughtering of Pregnant Cows in Southeast Nigeria: Implications to Meat Quality, Food Safety and Security. Foods 2021, 10, 1298 .

AMA Style

Ugochinyere Njoga, Emmanuel Njoga, Obichukwu Nwobi, Festus Abonyi, Henry Edeh, Festus Ajibo, Nichodemus Azor, Abubakar Bello, Anjani Upadhyay, Charles Okpala, Małgorzata Korzeniowska, Raquel Guiné. Slaughter Conditions and Slaughtering of Pregnant Cows in Southeast Nigeria: Implications to Meat Quality, Food Safety and Security. Foods. 2021; 10 (6):1298.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Ugochinyere Njoga; Emmanuel Njoga; Obichukwu Nwobi; Festus Abonyi; Henry Edeh; Festus Ajibo; Nichodemus Azor; Abubakar Bello; Anjani Upadhyay; Charles Okpala; Małgorzata Korzeniowska; Raquel Guiné. 2021. "Slaughter Conditions and Slaughtering of Pregnant Cows in Southeast Nigeria: Implications to Meat Quality, Food Safety and Security." Foods 10, no. 6: 1298.

Original article
Published: 05 September 2019 in Journal of Parasitic Diseases
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Gastrointestinal parasite (GIP) infection in pigs constrains swine production and enhances dissemination of zoonotic parasites, especially in the tropics. Therefore, an epidemiological study to determine prevalence and risk factors of GIP infection in intensively managed pigs in Nsukka, was conducted. Faecal samples from 1400 pigs, randomly collected from 40 farms, were examined for GIP eggs following standard protocol. Data on involvement of pig farmers in risk practices that enhance endoparasitic infection in piggeries were obtained using structured questionnaire. Overall prevalence of 80% (32/40) and 28.6% (400/1400) were recorded at farm and individual pig levels, respectively. Prevalence of 25.3% (138/546), 30.7% (262/854), 30.4% (310/1020) and 23.7% (90/380) were obtained for male, female, young (< 1 year) and adult (≥ 1 year) pigs, respectively. Epidemiological factors (sex, age, season, farm location and flock size) were significantly (p < 0.05) associated with worm infestations. Worm eggs identified and their prevalence were: Strongyles 25.7% (360/1400), Trichuris 11.4% (160/1400), Ascaris 0.7% (10/1400) and mixed infections (Strongyles and Trichuris) 9.3% (130/1400). Major risk factors found were feeding of self-compounded on-farm feed, non-disinfection of pen and equipment, rearing pigs of different ages together, infrequent removal of dungs, early weaning at less than 6 weeks and non-availability of routine deworming programme. The overall prevalence at farm and individual pig levels were high; and involvement of farmers in the risk practices was massive. Therefore, cost-effective control of GIP infestations in pig in the study area is imperative; to boost pig production and minimize risk of transmission of zoonotic parasites.

ACS Style

Festus Otaka Abonyi; Emmanuel Okechukwu Njoga. Prevalence and determinants of gastrointestinal parasite infection in intensively managed pigs in Nsukka agricultural zone, Southeast, Nigeria. Journal of Parasitic Diseases 2019, 44, 31 -39.

AMA Style

Festus Otaka Abonyi, Emmanuel Okechukwu Njoga. Prevalence and determinants of gastrointestinal parasite infection in intensively managed pigs in Nsukka agricultural zone, Southeast, Nigeria. Journal of Parasitic Diseases. 2019; 44 (1):31-39.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Festus Otaka Abonyi; Emmanuel Okechukwu Njoga. 2019. "Prevalence and determinants of gastrointestinal parasite infection in intensively managed pigs in Nsukka agricultural zone, Southeast, Nigeria." Journal of Parasitic Diseases 44, no. 1: 31-39.

Journal article
Published: 01 October 2013 in Experimental Parasitology
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Trypanosomosis has been associated with immunosuppression, anemia and oxidative damage while selenium possesses both immunostimulatory and antioxidative effects. This study was designed to assess the effect of dietary selenium supplementation on parasitemia, anemia, survival pattern and serum protein profiles of trypanosome-infected rats. Twenty five rats, divided into five groups (A-E) of 5 each, were treated as follows: 4, 8 and 16 ppm (ppm) of selenium in their feed, respectively throughout the experimental period and were infected with Trypanosoma brucei brucei on day 14 post supplementation, infected not supplemented and the negative control. Supplementation at 4 and 8 ppm increased the packed cell volume (PCV) and hemoglobin (Hb) concentration on day 7 of supplementation (PS) when compared with the unsupplemented groups. Following infection on day 14 PS, the PCV, Hb of 16 ppm and infected not supplemented groups were significantly (P < 0.05) lower than other groups on days 28 and 35 PS. Supplementation did not lead to significant (P > 0.05) changes on the total protein, albumin and globulin by day 14 PS. Infection, however, caused significant (P > 0.05) decrease in the total protein and albumin from day 28. The supplementation did not significantly (P > 0.05) increase the pre-patent period but caused a significant reduction in the parasitemia levels and increased survival intervals. Dietary selenium supplementation, from the results, may show promise in the management of African trypanosomosis as the supplementation was able to: reduce anemia and parasitemia and increase survival intervals of trypanosome infected rats.

ACS Style

J.I. Eze; M.C. Okeke; A.A. Ngene; J.N. Omeje; F.O. Abonyi. Effects of dietary selenium supplementation on parasitemia, anemia and serum proteins of Trypanosoma brucei brucei infected rats. Experimental Parasitology 2013, 135, 331 -336.

AMA Style

J.I. Eze, M.C. Okeke, A.A. Ngene, J.N. Omeje, F.O. Abonyi. Effects of dietary selenium supplementation on parasitemia, anemia and serum proteins of Trypanosoma brucei brucei infected rats. Experimental Parasitology. 2013; 135 (2):331-336.

Chicago/Turabian Style

J.I. Eze; M.C. Okeke; A.A. Ngene; J.N. Omeje; F.O. Abonyi. 2013. "Effects of dietary selenium supplementation on parasitemia, anemia and serum proteins of Trypanosoma brucei brucei infected rats." Experimental Parasitology 135, no. 2: 331-336.

Journal article
Published: 16 November 2012 in Tropical Animal Health and Production
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Twenty-four Large White × Landrace crossbreed primigravid pigs, aged 7.50 to 8.00 months weighing between 86.15 and 88.24 kg were used to study the effects of feeding graded levels of soya bean meal (SBM) replaced blood meal (BM) diets on serum biochemical profile in gestating pigs. The pigs were randomly allotted to four finisher diets formulated such that BM replaced SBM at 0.0, 50.0, 75.0 and 100.0 %, respectively. The diets were T1 (100.0 % SBM, 0.0 % BM), T2 (50.0 % SBM, 50.0 % BM), T3 (25.0 % SBM, 75.0 % BM) and T4 (0.0 % SBM, 100.0 % BM). Individual animal’s daily ration of the test diets was 2.20, 2.00 and 2.50 kg at stages one, two and three of gestation. Blood sampling and analysis for the effects of the test diets on biochemical profile of the experimental animals were carried out prior to conception, at weeks 3, 7 and 11 of gestation, respectively. The result showed no significant (P ≥ 0.05) dietary treatment effects on total protein, albumin, globulin fraction, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, creatinine and urea profile of the pigs fed with BM diets when compared to the control fed with 100.0 % SBM. There was however a significant (P ≤ 0.05) variation in these biochemical indices in all the experimental groups at different stages of gestation. It was concluded that BM can replace 100.0 % of SBM in the diets of pregnant pigs in the tropical humid environment without any deleterious effect on their health.

ACS Style

Festus Otaka Abonyi; Ndubuisi Samuel Machebe; Michael Sunday Ezea; James I. Eze; Benjamin Chigozie Omeke; Benjamin Nwabueze Marire. Effects of substituting soya bean meal (SBM) with blood meal (BM) on biochemical profile of pregnant pigs. Tropical Animal Health and Production 2012, 45, 957 -963.

AMA Style

Festus Otaka Abonyi, Ndubuisi Samuel Machebe, Michael Sunday Ezea, James I. Eze, Benjamin Chigozie Omeke, Benjamin Nwabueze Marire. Effects of substituting soya bean meal (SBM) with blood meal (BM) on biochemical profile of pregnant pigs. Tropical Animal Health and Production. 2012; 45 (4):957-963.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Festus Otaka Abonyi; Ndubuisi Samuel Machebe; Michael Sunday Ezea; James I. Eze; Benjamin Chigozie Omeke; Benjamin Nwabueze Marire. 2012. "Effects of substituting soya bean meal (SBM) with blood meal (BM) on biochemical profile of pregnant pigs." Tropical Animal Health and Production 45, no. 4: 957-963.

Journal article
Published: 23 August 2012 in African Journal of Biotechnology
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ACS Style

F.O Abonyi. Neonatal mortality of pigs in Nsukka, Southeast Nigeria. African Journal of Biotechnology 2012, 11, 1 .

AMA Style

F.O Abonyi. Neonatal mortality of pigs in Nsukka, Southeast Nigeria. African Journal of Biotechnology. 2012; 11 (68):1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

F.O Abonyi. 2012. "Neonatal mortality of pigs in Nsukka, Southeast Nigeria." African Journal of Biotechnology 11, no. 68: 1.