Endocrine Gland and Brain Weights of Market Weight Bulls and Steers Representing the Shorthorn Breed and Several Breed Crosses

Thyroid, adrenal, pituitary and brain weights were first determined in 1971 in 492 market weight cattle representing purebred Shorthorns and crosses of “foreign” breeds, Charolais, Simmental and Limousin with Hereford, Angus and Shorthorn. Thyroid weights were also determined in a similar group of 433 cattle the following year. The data were reported on a per 100 kg body weight basis and analyzed within the subgroups of breed of sire, breed of dam and location.

The average thyroid weight per 100 kg of body weight for males within subgroups over the two years ranged from 3.99 to 8.71 g, while that for steers ranged from 3.81 to 4.41 g. The average thyroid weight for a group of 18 Limousin sired heifers was 3.71 g. The average adrenal weight per 100 kg of slaughter weight ranged from 3.66 to 4.20 g in the males and from 3.66 to 3.86 g in the steers. Pituitary weight per 100 kg body weight at slaughter ranged from 486-511 mg in bulls and from 469-510 mg in steers. Average brain weight ranged from 85.5 to 97.3 g in males and from 92.2 to 94.1 g in steers.

Breed differences existed only for the pituitary gland, with Simmental sired males and steers having heavier glands than Charolais sired males and steers.

Sex differences were significant for the thyroid and the brain. Thyroids of males were generally heavier than those of steers, while brains of steers were heavier than those from males.

Thyroid, adrenal and brain weights were significantly different between two genetically similar purebred herds of Shorthorns.

     

Histomorphometry and quantification of nucleolar organizer regions in bovine thyroid containing methylthiouracil residues

In order to study the morphology and morphometry and to characterize and quantify the nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) of bovine thyroids containing methylthiouracil (MTU) residues, five animals were orally treated with a suspension of MTU (5 g/animal/day) for 20 days (group A). This treatment protocol was interrupted 5 days before the the animals were slaughtered. Six animals receiving placebos composed group B. A third group (group C) was composed of normal thyroids obtained from a slaughterhouse. All glands were previously assessed for detection of antithyroid residues by chromatography, and only those glands from MTU-treated animals were positive. Follicles of glands from group A showed wide variation in size and shape. There was a predominance of small follicles covered by multiple layers of columnar cells, sometimes forming papillary projections into the lumen, characterizing severe interfollicular and intrafollicular adenomatosis. Many follicles had vacuolated cells with nuclei showing karyolysis or pyknosis and reduced amounts of a low-density and very excavated colloid. They also showed higher follicular epithelia and larger proportions of their structural components when compared with glands of groups B and C. In the thyroids from group A, the argyrophilic nucleolar organizer region-associated proteins (AgNORs) were greater in number, with small ones scattered all over the nucleus. Although the size of AgNORs in thyroids from groups B and C was variable, these AgNORs were fewer and larger than were those in glands from group A. In conclusion, the MTU induces proliferation and regressive changes in follicular cells, and the AgNOR technique is efficient to distinguish different degrees of thyroid hyperplasia.     

Pathological characteristics of thyroid glands from Japanese Black Cattle living in the restricted area of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident

To study the effect of ionizing radiation on thyroid glands, 66 Japanese Black cattle residing in the restricted area of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in 2013–2017 were pathologically examined. There were no clinical symptoms of thyroid disease in these cattle. Three cases of goiter and seven of atrophy were found in two among the four farms examined. Cases of goiter exhibited normal morphological structure without mass or nodule formation in thyroid glands. Cellular atypia or capsular invasion of the follicular epithelium was absent. The estimated integrated dose of external radiation in goiter cases ranged from maximum 797 mSv to minimum 24 mSv. All lobules in the seven atrophic thyroid glands were affected, but pathological findings, such as inflammatory cell infiltration or stromal fibrosis, were not observed. The estimated integrated dose of external radiation in atrophic thyroids ranged from maximum 589 mSv to minimum 8 mSv. Immunohistochemical analysis of anti‐nitroguanosine and the TUNEL method in goiter and atrophic thyroid glands did not reveal any positive findings. The present study indicates that there was no significant relationship between a radiation effect and pathological findings in any thyroid glands.     

Effect of methimazole-induced hypothyroidism on adrenal and gonadal functions in male Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica)

To investigate the effect of hypothyroidism on gonadal and adrenal functions in male Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica), hypothyroidism was induced in male adult Japanese quail by daily administration of 2-Mercapto-1-methylimidazole (methimazole) in their drinking water. Four weeks after methimazole treatment, the Japanese quail were sacrificed, and the plasma concentrations of free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4), total T3 (TT3), total T4 (TT4), corticosterone, testosterone, LH and immunoreactive (ir) inhibins were measured by radioimmunoassay, the testes and adrenal glands were removed and weighed and the thyroid glands and testes were fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde for histological observation. The results showed that the hypothyroidism induced by methimazole caused a significant decrease in body and testes weight; the plasma levels of FT3, FT4 and TT4 significantly decreased, and the hypothyroid quail possessed a greater number of small follicles and more follicular epithelial cells in the thyroid gland. In addition, hypothyroidism resulted in a significant decrease in the plasma concentrations of corticosterone, LH, testosterone and ir-inhibin. Furthermore, no spermatogenesis was found in the seminiferous tubules of the methimazole treatment groups. These results clearly demonstrate that hypothyroidism caused both gonadal and adrenal disturbances in the adult male Japanese quail.     

Leather quality of beefalo‐Nellore cattle in different production systems

The aim was to compare the effects of two production systems on performance, carcass traits and physical‐mechanical characteristics of leather from Beefalo‐Nellore steers and heifers and to determine if the response to the production system was similar for both genders. A total of 40 Beefalo‐Nellore cattle, 20 steers and 20 heifers, were evaluated. Animals were divided into two production systems: slaughtered at 15 (intensive system) or 26 (extensive system) months of age. In the intensive system, all animals received a ration containing 600 g/kg corn silage and 400 g/kg concentrate. In the extensive system, animals were kept on a pasture predominantly based on Brachiaria sp. and supplemented with 2 kg/day concentrate. In the intensive system, there was no difference in slaughter weight (470 kg body weight) between steers and heifers but steers in the extensive system had greater slaughter weight than heifers (463 and 428 kg body weight, respectively). Leather weight was higher for animals in the intensive than extensive system but there was no difference in leather weight once excess fat was removed. Leather quality from Beefalo‐Nellore cattle slaughtered at 15 or 26 months of age is similar although carcass yield is higher for cattle slaughtered at a younger age.     

Optimal Testing for Thyroid Hormone Concentration after Treatment with Methimazole in Healthy and Hyperthyroid Cats

Background: Methimazole suppresses thyroid hormone synthesis and is commonly used to treat feline hyperthyroidism. The degree of variation in thyroid hormone concentrations 24 hours after administration of methimazole and optimal time for blood sampling to monitor therapeutic efficacy have not been determined.
Objective: To assess thyroid hormone concentration variation in serum of normal and hyperthyroid cats after administration of methimazole.
Animals: Four healthy cats and 889 retrospectively acquired feline thyroid hormone profiles.
Methods: Crossover and retrospective studies . In the crossover study, healthy cats were treated with increasing doses of oral methimazole until steady state of thyroid suppression was achieved. Thyroid hormones and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) were serially and randomly monitored after methimazole. Paired t -tests and a 3-factor analysis of variance were used to determine differences between thyroid hormone concentrations in treated and untreated cats in the crossover study. Thyroid profiles from methimazole-treated hyperthyroid cats were retrieved from the Diagnostic Center for Population and Animal Health database and reviewed. Linear regression analysis evaluated relationships of dosage (mg/kg), dosing interval (q24h versus q12h), and time after methimazole to all thyroid hormone concentrations.
Results: All serum concentrations of thyroid hormones were significantly suppressed and TSH was significantly increased for 24 hours after administration of oral methimazole in healthy cats ( P < .005). In hyperthyroid cats, there were no significant relationships between thyroid hormone concentrations and time postpill or dosing interval.
Conclusions: Timing of blood sampling after oral methimazole administration does not appear to be a significant factor when assessing response to methimazole treatment.     

Accidental finding of Hashimoto‐like thyroiditis in male B.U.T. 6 turkeys at slaughter

In the context of a study on the tolerance of rapeseed meal in B.U.T. 6 turkeys, thyroid glands were histologically and immunohistochemically examined because of potential thyreostatic effects. In all groups including the controls with no rapeseed meal in their food, there was a high incidence of lymphocytic infiltration and thyroiditis (14% of thyroids with moderate to severe lymphocytic thyroiditis). Thirty per cent of mononuclear inflammatory cells were immunohistochemically identified as T cells. There were occasional accumulations of PAX‐5 labelled cells, indicating germinal centre development. These lesions resemble Hashimoto's disease in humans. The effect on thyroid function is unknown. Mild hypothyreosis might enhance productivity but also explain dispositions towards diseases seen in context with thyroid dysfunction such as skin diseases (foot pad disease?) and cardiovascular problems. Further studies on thyroid function in these turkeys are needed.     

Comparison of the disposition of carbimazole and methimazole in clinically normal cats

The oral disposition of the antithyroid drugs methimazole and carbimazole were compared in nine clinically normal cats. After the administration of 5 mg of methimazole, serum concentrations of methimazole increased in all the cats, with mean drug concentrations reaching peak values (1·37 μg ml⁻¹) at 30 minutes. After administration of 5 mg carbimazole, serum concentrations of carbimazole remained low, but serum methnnazole became readily measurable, with mean drug concentrations reaching peak values (0·79 μg ml⁻¹) at 120 minutes. When serum concentrations of methimazole attained after administration of the two antithyroid drugs were compared, the mean maximum serum methimazole concentration achieved after administration of methimazole was approximately two-fold higher than peak concentrations measured after administration of carbimazole. In addition, the mean area under the serum concentration curve (AUC) after administration of methimazole was approximately two-fold higher than the mean AUC determined after administration of carbimazole. When the differences in molecular weight between the two drugs was taken into consideration, however, these methimazole:carbimazole ratios of 2:1 were nearly equivalent to the molar ratio of the 5 mg doses of the drugs given (1·63). Results of this study indicate that carbimazole is nearly totally converted to methimazole after oral administration to cats, similarly to the findings in man. The finding of less available serum methimazole after administration of a 5 mg tablet of carbimazole than after methimazole is also consistent with published antithyroid drug dosages needed to control hyperthyroidism in cats.     

The public health implications of farming cattle in areas with high background concentrations of vanadium

Forty-two adult Brahman-cross cattle farmed extensively in two groups, immediately adjacent to and 2 km from a vanadium processing plant respectively, were slaughtered over a 5 year period at a nearby abattoir. Cattle were being exposed to vanadium at close to no-adverse-effect levels. The dose of vanadium that cattle were taking in prior to slaughter was calculated for each animal from environmental and physiological data using a stochastic risk assessment model. The median exposure doses in the month prior to slaughter ranged from 0.55 to 2.73 mg vanadium/kg body weight/day. A range of tissues was taken from the cattle at slaughter for vanadium determination and tissue levels of vanadium in muscle, liver and kidney are reported. The concentrations of vanadium in the milk of cattle from the same farm sampled over 5 years are also reported. Concentrations were further modelled using a lognormal distribution function to look at possible extreme values that are likely to occur. The concentrations of vanadium in commonly consumed tissues ranged from <0.05 to 11.51 mg/kg (wet-mass basis). The median concentration of vanadium in milk was 0.23 mg vanadium/kg. People drinking milk were at highest risk. The potential oral daily intake of vanadium for people consuming these foodstuffs was modelled using a stochastic model. The model predicted that there is less than a 5% chance that the potential daily intake of vanadium from milk will be >0.44 μg/kg/day for adults. Based on this upper limit it was concluded from current knowledge of toxicity in humans that the tissue and milk residues from cattle should pose no health risk to the consumer.     

安格斯牛×大别山牛杂交牛生长发育特性和屠宰特性研究

[目的]研究安格斯牛对大别山牛的杂交效果。[方法]对安格斯牛×大别山牛杂交F1代(安—大F1)和大别山牛各24头进行了初生、6月龄、12月龄和24月龄体重和体尺性状测定,对照组和试验组各随机选择3头持续育肥至24月龄后进行了屠宰测定。[结果]安—大杂交F1代牛具有较高的杂种优势,安—大杂交F1代牛初生、6月龄、12月龄、18月龄和24月龄体重和体尺指标均明显优于大别山牛;24月龄时安—大杂交F1代的宰前体重极显著高于大别山牛(P<0.01),胴体重和净肉重均显著高于大别山牛(P<0.05)。[结论]用安格斯牛与大别山牛杂交,杂交效果明显,具有较高的推广及应用价值。     

Evaluation of the efficacy of anthelmintics against parafilariosis in cattle

Parafilariosis was first described in South Africa in 1964, thereafter being discovered at numerous localities in the country. When it became obvious that Parafilaria bovicola, for which no treatment was known, caused considerable economic losses, trials involving a series of compounds were conducted to identify candidate remedies. This paper describes an anthelmintic test for evaluating the efficacy of compounds for registration for field use. Recovery of Parafilaria worms is impractical for anthelmintic testing, and consequently the lesion sizes of treated and control groups of cattle are compared statistically, using appropriate statistical tests. The seasonal incidence of mature worm infection in cattle in South Africa is such that trials should commence after June and be completed before the end of January, allowing a lapse of 70 days between treatment and slaughter for resolution of the lesions. The presently available parafilaricidal compounds while of value for treating slaughter stock, when used alone will probably not be effective for control of infection in the field.     

延边黄牛SCD1基因多态性及其与经济性状的关联分析

本研究旨在探索延边黄牛硬脂酰辅酶A去饱和酶1（stearoy-CoA desaturase 1,SCD1）基因多态性及其与经济性状的相关性。以157头36月龄健康无病、体重相近的延边黄牛为研究对象,颈静脉采血提取基因组DNA,根据GenBank中牛SCD1基因序列（登录号：AC_000181.1）,利用Oligo 6.0软件设计特异性引物,应用PCR扩增SCD1全长基因后直接测序,分析其多态位点,并应用生物信息学软件分析其蛋白结构;屠宰前测定活体重、胴体重、屠宰率、背膘厚等胴体性状,屠宰后采集背最长肌,测定眼肌面积、蒸煮损失、滴水损失、嫩度、系水力、pH、脂肪酸含量等肉质性状,并通过一般线性模型分析方法对延边黄牛SCD1基因SNPs与肉质性状的相关性进行了分析。结果发现,延边黄牛SCD1基因846 bp处存在A→G突变（g846 A→G）、1 022 bp处存在C→T突变（g1022 C→T）,其中g1022 C→T突变导致丙氨酸（A）突变为缬氨酸（V）,但未引起三级结构改变。关联分析结果表明,g846 A→G多态位点与延边黄牛宰前活重、胴体重、滴水损失及硬脂酸、亚油酸含量存在显著相关（P<0.05）;g1022 C→T多态位点与延边黄牛宰前活重、胴体重及硬脂酸含量存在显著相关（P<0.05）,说明上述2个位点与延边黄牛相关肉质性状存在显著相关,该突变位点可作为潜在的分子标记。     

Pharmacokinetics of methimazole in normal cats and cats with hyperthyroidism

The intravenous and oral disposition of the antithyroid drug methimazole was determined in 10 clinically normal cats and nine cats with naturally occurring hyperthyroidism. After intravenous administration of 5 mg methimazole, the mean residence time was significantly (P less than 0.05) shorter in the cats with hyperthyroidism than in the normal cats, but there was no significant difference between the mean values for total body clearance (CL), steady state volume of distribution (Vdss), terminal elimination rate constant (ke), or serum terminal half-life (t1/2) in the two groups of cats. After oral administration, the mean bioavailability of methimazole was high in both the normal cats (77.6 per cent) and cats with hyperthyroidism (79.5 per cent). The values for mean residence time, ke and serum terminal t1/2 after oral dosing were significantly shorter in the cats with hyperthyroidism than in the normal cats. However, after oral administration of methimazole there were no significant differences between the mean values for CL, Vdss, bioavailability and maximum serum concentrations or the time for maximal concentrations to be reached in the two groups of cats. Overall, most pharmacokinetic parameters for methimazole were not altered by the hyperthyroid state. However, the cats with hyperthyroidism did show a trend toward faster elimination of the drug compared with the normal cats, similar to what has been previously described for the antithyroid drug propylthiouracil in cats. These results also indicate that methimazole is well absorbed when administered orally and has a higher bioavailability than that of propylthiouracil in cats with hyperthyroidism.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Effects of sexual condition and age on carcass characteristics and grading of Sussex cattle in Zimbabwe

The effects of sexual condition and age at slaughter on carcass characteristics were investigated in Sussex cattle. At three months of age 93 male calves were allocated to three sexual treatments: entire, cryptorchid and castrate. The cattle were weaned at eight months, grazed on range and then placed into feedlots for 90 days prior to slaughter at 15, 18 or 21 months of age. Entire and cryptorchid cattle gained more (P < 0.01) weight and had heavier and learner carcasses than the castrates. Although cattle slaughtered at 15 months of age had better fleshing grades than those slaughtered at 18 or 21 months of age, no animal was down-graded for exhibiting marked secondary sexual characteristics.     

Growth of nursing pigs related to the characteristics of nursed mammary glands

The purpose of this study was to determine growth performance of nursing pigs in relationship to teat order and to observe teat preference by pigs. In the first experiment, litter size of 13 primiparous sows was adjusted to 9 (8.7 +/- 1.5) pigs and teat order of each litter was observed on the day before slaughter. Another group of eight sows was killed on d 0 (within 12 h after farrowing). In the second experiment, litter size was adjusted to 9 (8.9 +/- 1.4) pigs for 20 primiparous sows and teat order for each litter was observed 1 d before slaughter. The weights of sows and individual pigs were recorded at farrowing, weekly, and on the day before slaughter. Mammary glands were collected at slaughter on d 21 of lactation and trimmed of skin and the extraneous fat pad. Individual glands were separated, weighed, and ground for measurement of dry matter, dry fat-free tissue, protein, fat, ash, and DNA contents. Middle mammary glands had the greatest wet weight among glands obtained within 12 h after weaning (P < .05). For sows completing the 21 d lactation, only glands known to have been nursed were included in the data sets. Greater than 60% of the first four pairs of mammary glands were nursed, and less than 40% of the seventh and eighth glands were nursed by pigs during lactation. Pigs that nursed the first five pairs of anterior glands gained faster than pigs nursing the remaining glands. The first five pairs of anterior glands had greater wet and dry weights, and greater protein and DNA contents compared with the remaining glands. Pigs that nursed heavier glands gained weight faster (r = .68, P = .0001), and those heavier glands contained greater amounts of protein (r = .98, P = .0001) and DNA (r = .66, P = .0001). Variation in weight gain of pigs nursing the anterior and middle glands was not statistically significant. The functional superiority of anterior and middle glands was positively correlated with body weight gain of nursing pigs.     

The Concentrations of Copper,Zinc and Molyrdenum in Swine Liver and the Relationship to the Distrirution of Solurle Copper- and Zinc-Rinding Proteins

The concentrations of copper, zinc and molybdenum were measured in liver samples from 21 normal slaughter pigs (average age about 6 months) and in 36 sows (average age about 2 years). The following mean values were found: Slaughter pigs: 15 ± 8 µg Cu/g, 45 ± 7 μg Zm/g and 1.0 ± 0.2 μg Mo/g wet weight; sows: 46 ± 70 μg Cu/g, 70 ± 26 μg Zn/g and 1.3 ± 0.3 μg Mo/g wet weight. The concentrations of all 3 elements were significantly higher in the sows than in the young pigs. There was no correlation between the concentrations of copper, zinc or molybdenum. The recorded copper levels in the slaughter pigs were in accordance with the levels of non-supplemented pigs given in the literature. The soluble hepatic copper- and zinc-binding proteins were separated into 3 different fractions by gel filtration. With increasing copper and zinc levels in the liver, a higher relative amount of these elements were found in the low molecular weight fraction.     

Epidemiological and pathological studies on congenital diffuse hyperplastic goiter in calves.

Perinatal diseases such as weak calf, stillbirth, or abortion were found in 86 calves from about 600 cows in a farm (A Farm) in 1987 and 1988. Such perinatal diseases were decreased to 36 calves in 1989 and 1990 after an additional supply of seaweed was made to the maternal feeds. From these cases, 23 stillborn and weak calves were pathologically examined. The mean weight with standard deviation of the 18 thyroid glands was 36.3 +/- 28.6 g before feeding of the seaweed supplement, and 12 (67%) of the glands showed moderate to marked degree of diffuse hyperplastic goiter in histological criteria. On the other hand, 5 glands weighed 12.0 +/- 3.4 g and revealed no such histological lesions after the additional supply. These results suggest that the goiter had been associated with birth of weak calves. Further study was performed on 37 newborn calves affected with Akabane disease in 1986 in A Farm and the neighbouring B Farm located. Seven (54%) of 13 thyroid glands from A Farm and 1 (4%) of 24 glands from B Farm showed histologically moderate to marked goitrous lesions. There were dotted "Inugarashi", Rorippa indica, family Cruciferae in both pastures. The mean iodine contents of the orchard grasses were 87 and 121 micrograms/kg on dry basis in A and B Farms. Marginal deficiency or lower limit of iodine and possible thiocyanate content of "Inugarashi" may have been responsible for the goiter in the farms.     

Carcass quality and meat tenderness of Hawaii pasture-finished cattle and Hawaii-originated, mainland feedlot-finished cattle

The objective of this study was to compare the carcass quality and meat tenderness of Hawaii cattle finished on subtropical pasture with those of mainland US feedlot-finished cattle that were shipped from Hawaii after weaning. Rib-eye steak samples were collected from 30 feedlot-finished cattle harvested at a slaughter house in Washington State, USA and from 13 subtropical pasture-finished cattle harvested at a local slaughter house in Hawaii, then shipped to meat science laboratory at the University of Hawaii, Manoa. Samples were aged for 2?weeks at 4°C and frozen for later proximate analysis and meat tenderness measurement. Feedlot-finished cattle had significantly heavier carcass weight (353 vs 290?kg) and thicker backfat (13.5 vs 6.6?mm), but no significant difference was observed in rib-eye area between the two groups. Marbling score (Small) and United States Department of Agriculture quality grade (Choice) of the pasture-finished beef were not significantly (P?相似文献   

Evaluation in beef cattle of six deoxyribonucleic acid markers developed for dairy traits reveals an osteopontin polymorphism associated with postweaning growth

The objectives of this study were to 1) estimate the allelic frequencies in US beef cattle of 6 DNA markers reported to be associated with variation in dairy production traits; and 2) evaluate the association of these markers with beef production traits. Several genetic markers have been associated with milk yield or composition, including polymorphisms in secreted phosphoprotein 1 (SPP1; also called osteopontin), growth hormone receptor (GHR), casein S1 (CSN1S1), diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase 1 (DGAT1), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma co-activator-1alpha (PPARGC1A), and ATP-binding cassette subfamily G (white) member 2 (ABCG2). Allelic frequencies for these 6 markers, and their association with 21 phenotypes, were evaluated in 2 crossbred beef cattle populations that sample influential industry sires. Five of 6 markers were segregating in beef cattle populations; the exception was ABCG2. The SPP1 marker was associated with yearling weight (P = 0.025), live weight at slaughter (P = 0.016), postweaning ADG (P = 0.007), and HCW (P = 0.007) in a large, multisire population representing the 7 most populous beef breeds in the United States. Postweaning growth trait associations were confirmed in an independent population of similar construction, including sires from tropically adapted breeds. The SPP1 marker was associated with yearling weight (P = 0.034), live weight at slaughter (P = 0.011), and postweaning ADG (P = 0.015) and showed a trend toward association with HCW (P = 0.083) in this population. Whereas DGAT1, GHR, and CSN1S1 polymorphisms showed association with some traits in individual populations, the lack of consistent predictive merit between populations indicates they may not be suited for beef cattle selection. No significant associations were observed for the PPARGC1A marker and any of 21 recorded traits, indicating this marker had no apparent value in selection for the beef cattle traits tested in these populations. The SPP1 marker had consistent associations and effect sizes (10.5 to 11.5 kg of live weight at slaughter) in both populations, providing strong evidence for utility of the SPP1 marker for postweaning growth in beef cattle.     

Seasonal pattern of bovine amphistomosis in traditionally reared cattle in the Kafue and Zambezi catchment areas of Zambia

Seasonality of bovine amphistomosis in the Southern province of Zambia was established after examining 268 faecal samples from cattle presented for slaughter at Turnpike slaughter slab, Mazabuka. Amphistomosis was found present throughout the year but the highest abundance rate was found during the post-rainy season (47.8%) and the lowest during the cold dry season (24.8%). In the rainy and post-rainy seasons, higher mean egg counts and cattle found positive were recorded than in any other season. The distribution of amphistome eggs was significantly different (p < 0.001) among the four seasons, with the rainy season having higher median egg counts than others. There were no significant differences in abundance rates between sexes or between ages of cattle. A similar seasonality to that of fasciolosis exists and may help in strategic management of Fasciola and amphistomes.