The results of coprology showed that, out of the One Hundred and thirty four (134) cattle examined, 5 were infected, representing a prevalence of 3.73 percent, while One hundred and twenty nine (129) were not infected, with a prevalence of 96.3 percent (Table 1). Coprology's low prevalence of 3.73% is in line with findings from some previous researches by Akpabio (2014) and Okonkwo et al. (2023), who found low prevalence rates of 1.7% and 13.5% respectively. It is not, however, consistent with the results of Njoku-Tony (2011), Adedokun et al. (2008) and Abraham and Jude (2014), who found higher incidences ranging from 23.3–75% in the southern region of the Nigeria. The high prevalence in the southern part of Nigeria may be related to variations in the climate and dense vegetation, which would favor the growth of the snail vector and raise the infection rate. However, the results of researches conducted by Soba et al. (2023) and Njobdi et al. (2023), although done in Northern Nigeria, reported higher prevalences in Gombe (74.3%) and Benue (48.2%) states respectively, which are at odds with the low prevalence rate reported in this study. The variances in sample size, livestock abundance and climate in various areas could all be contributing factors to the discrepancies in prevalence.
The results of sex-specific distribution of the infection showed that females had a higher prevalence, representing 4.55 percent, compared to their male counterparts with a prevalence of 2.17 percent (Table 2). The sex distribution analysis results showed that the prevalence was higher in female cattle than in male cattle. The increased susceptibility of females to the illness could be the reason for this. This conclusion is consistent with other research findings (Njok-Tony, 2011; Ardo et al., 2013; Uwalaka et al., 2019; Shima et al., 2015; Banwo et al., 2023; Okolugbo et al., 2023; Sabo et al., 2023). It does, however, conflict with the results of some other researchers, like Oladele-Bukola and Odetokun (2014), Adangs et al., (2015), Aliyu et al., (2014) and Ikenna-Ezeh et al., (2019), who found higher prevalences in males. This discrepancy could be explained by the custom of keeping a higher female-to-male ratio—particularly when it comes to the ratio of cows to oxen—and by keeping female animals around for the purpose of breeding and milk production.
The results of age-specific distribution of the infection revealed that the age group 2–3 years old, had the highest prevalence, representing 25 percent, followed by 3–4 years with 6.89 percent. The least prevalence was recorded in the age group 5 years and above with 1.74 percent. No prevalence was recorded in the age groups 0–1 year and 4–5 years, respectively (Table 3). Additionally, the study found a greater frequency in the age range of 2–3 years, which is in line with the findings of Uwalake et al. (2019) and Aliyu et al. (2014), who also found that young calves had a higher prevalence than adult cattle. This goes against the results of some other studies (Ardo et al., 2013; Adang et al., 2015) that showed a higher prevalence in adults than in young animals. Young cattle may be more susceptible to the high incidence because of their exposure to contaminated pasture, particularly when the pasture is chopped and fed to them.
The results of breed-specific distribution of the infection showed that Wadara had the highest prevalence, representing 20 percent, and the least prevalence was recorded in White Fulani (4.93%). Zero prevalence was recorded in Red Bororo and Azwak, respectively (Table 4). In addition, the research revealed that the Wadara and White Fulani breeds had a significant prevalence rate of infection, whereas the Red Bororo and Azwak breeds showed no infection. This implies that some breeds are more prone to contracting the fascioliaisis than others, which may be related to how frequently these types are slaughtered at the slaughterhouse. This vulnerability may also be linked to variations in extrinsic (environment and management techniques) and intrinsic (genetic, physiological and immune) host variables. This result is in conflict with the findings of Soba et al. (2023) and Olamelekan et al. (2023), who showed high prevalence in Sokoto Gudali and Red Bororo, but it is consistent with the findings of a study conducted by Ikenna-Ezeh et al. (2019), who observed no infection in Red Bororo and a high prevalence in White Fulani.
The results of body condition score from this study, showed that those with medium condition revealed a high prevalence representing 6.67 percent, followed by those with poor condition (6.45%) and the least prevalence was recorded in those with good body condition (1.37%). The result was shown on (Table 5). Our findings are in line with the findings of Meharenet and Shitu (2021), who found that the medium conditioned animals were more infected in Ethiopia. However, our findings were in contrast to that of Uwalaka et al. (2019), who reported a higher prevalence among poor conditioned animals in Abia state, Nigeria. The lowest prevalence of infection is consistently recorded among good physical conditioned animals. This suggested that the prevalence of fascioliasis is closely related to body condition, with the medium and poor conditioned being more prone to infection than the good.
The results of the hematological indices determined for Fasciola-infected and non-infected cattle indicated that PCV, Hb, and RBC were lower in the infected cattle than in the non-infected ones. On the other hand, WBC, MCV, MCH, and MCHC were higher in the infected cattle compared to the uninfected animals. Statistical analysis revealed highly significant differences between the PCV, Hb, and RBC of the infected and non-infected cattle (p < 0.05), and significant differences between the WBC, MCV, and MCH of both groups (p < 0.05). However, no significant differences were observed between the MCHC of the infected cattle and the uninfected ones (Table 6). In comparison to the uninfected cattle, the haematological changes among the infected cattle, resulted in a substantial drop in the mean values of WBC, RBC, HGB, HCT, and MCH and a significant increase in the mean values of MCV and MCHC. The present discovery aligns with multiple other studies that have documented a decline in the same parameters' (Wyk et al., 2012; Egbu et al., 2013 and Brahmbhatt et al., 2021). But the lower values of RBC, WBC, HGB, and HCT in infected cows may be the result of an adult fluke's blood-sucking behavior as well as blood loss from hemorrhages brought on by the immature parasite's extensive migration through the bile duct and liver parenchyma as earlier suggested (Etim et al., 2014 and Brahmbhatt et al., 2021). The present study's findings regarding the significant increase in MCHC in infected cattle are consistent with those of Brahmbhatt et al. (2021).
The differential counts of Fasciola-infected cattle and the uninfected ones revealed a perceptible increase in the neutrophils of the infected cattle and a clear decrease in the levels of eosinophils, monocytes, lymphocytes, and basophils in the infected cattle. The differences in the neutrophils, eosinophils, monocytes, and lymphocytes of both groups were highly significant at P ≤ 0.05. According to the current findings, peripheral blood from infected animals had higher neutrophil counts than from uninfected animals, suggesting that neutropilia developed during the Fasciola infection of cows. A substantial rise in monocytes, basophils, and eosinophils is indicative of a parasite infection. This is consistent with a research finding by Brahmbhatt et al. (2021), which reported that between infected and non-infected Gir cattle, there were low levels of eosonophils, monocytes, and basophils and high levels of neutrophils. However, these results conflict with those of Egbu (2013) and Matanovic et al. (2007), who found that the infected group had significantly higher neutrophil and eosinophil counts compared to the uninfected, and that the infected group had significantly, lower levels of monocytes and lymphocytes. The variations in the differential counts could be the result of a toxin-mediated lesion of the bone marrow or a body defence mechanism against the obstructive effects of Fasciola as earlier suggested (Egbu et al., 2013).
The results of the biochemical changes indicated that the means and standard deviations of ALT, AST, ALP, and TB were higher in the infected cattle than the uninfected ones, while ALB, TP, and CB were higher in uninfected cattle than their infected counterparts (Table 8). An additional sign of internal organ injury is observed from the results of biochemical analysis. ALB, TP (total protein), and CB levels considerably decreased among the infecrted cattle (p < 0.05) in the current study, while ALT, AST, ALP, and total bilirubin levels increased also among the infected (p < 0.05). These discoveries agreed with the results from other researches (Brahmbhatt et al., 2021; Ellah et al., 2014; Kitila Megersa, 2014). Higher AST and ALT activity is typically seen in cases of Fasciola infection because the parasite damages the liver through migratory activity, which in turn triggers the activation of inflammatory cells that produce fibrosis and necrosis and increases AST and ALT activity. The cause of the hypoproteinemia is a severe liver infection that destroyed the liver parenchyma and drastically changed the protein value. Reduced albumin production brought on by liver injury could be the cause of the hypoalbuminemia. Biliary blockage, values, and cholangitis are caused by fasciolosis infections. Reduced albumin production brought on by liver injury could be the cause of the hypoalbuminemia. Cholangitis, biliary obstruction, fibrosis and loss of hepatic tissue, and anemia are all caused by fascilococcal infections as earlier reported (Brahmbhatt, 2021).