A biometric study of the digestive tract of one-humped camel (camelus dromedarius) fetuses

A Biometrical study was conducted on the digestive tract of 35foetuses of the one-humped camel collected from the Sokotometropolitan abattoir, over a period of five months at differentgestational ages. The approximate age of the foetuses was estimatedfrom the crown vertebral rump length (CVRL) and samples werecategorised into first, second and third trimester. The mean bodyweight of the foetus at first, second third trimester ranged from 1.40± 0.06 kg, 6.10 ± 0.05 kg and 17.87 ± 0.6 kg respectively. The meanweights of the entire digestive system at first, second and thirdtrimester were 0.80 ± 0.07 kg, 2.13 ± 0.04 kg and 4.86 ± 0.08 kgrespectively. The mean weights of the digestive tract at first, secondand third trimester were 0.53 ± 0.07 kg, 1.03 ± 0.05 and 2.43 ± 0.07kg respectively. The small intestine at first trimester were found notto have any clear demarcation to show duodenum, jejunum andileum; the entire small intestine was found to be 76.00 ± 3.00 cm atfirst trimester and showed clear demarcation at second and thirdtrimesters.. The mean volumes of the entire stomach (rumen,reticular and abomasum) ranged from 136.67 ± 8.30 cm3 at firsttrimester to 353.33 ± 6.50 cm3 at third trimester. It was observedthat there was increase in body weight, organ weight and individualsegment of the digestive tract of the fetuses with advancement ingestation period. A geometrical increase in length and diameter ofthe various segments of the digestive tract showed a significantdifference (P≤ 0.05) with advancement in gestational period.

Keywords:

Biometry , Camel , Digestive tract , Fetus , Prenatal development