Craniofacial Indices of the Different Ecotypes of the Sahel Goat in Nigeria

This study was done to ascertain if differences occur in the craniofacial indices of the seven ecotypes of the Sahel goat and to determine if such indices would be used for identification. Though females of all the ecotypes hadhigher values than males in all indices analyzed, only the rima oris length showed significant difference (

Growth Changes in Selected Muscles of One-Humped Camel (camelus Dromedarius)

Nigerian Veterinary Journal, Vol. 32(3): 2011; 230 - 23

A Study of Dental Abnormalities of Camels in Nigeria

Nigerian Veterinary Journal, Vol. 32(2): 2011; 92 - 9

Anatomical Study of the Variations of the Facial bones in Skull of the Camel (Camelus dromendarius) in Nigeria

The morphological features of facial region of the camel skull were investigated. A total of 42 camel skulls (30 mature and 12 immature) from three geographical locations (Maiduguri, Kano and Sokoto) in Nigeria were used in this study. The morphological features of the nasal region of the camel skulls were observed to be composed of the os nasale, os incisivivum, os lacrimale, maxilla and part of the os frontalale as reported for other domestic animals. Variations in the morphological arrangement of the incisive, maxilla and nasal bones of the nasal region in camel skulls for both mature and immature animals were observed to show two typical variations as nasomaxilloincisive notch (80%) and nasoincisive notch (20%) in all samples studied. Slit-like fissures were also observed at the frontomaxillary suture area in 90.5% mature and 92% immature camel skulls. These fissures were observed to be either rectangular or oval in shape and bilateral in 95% while in the remaining were either absent or unilateral. However, there were a wide opening on each side of the nasal bone and could be classified into two types (fIssura frontomaxillaris and fissura nasofrontomaxillaris) according to various patterns of articulations of the neighbouring bones. The nasal region morphological information provided in this study will contribute to knowledge of the morphological pattern of the fissures of facial bones in skull that can play a prominent role in osteological investigation or osteoarchaeology, and also offer elements for eventual comparative studies that can be used for tracing origin of the animal.Key words: Morphology, variations, facial bones, skull, came

Morphometric Studies Of The Reproductive Organs And Sperm Reserves Of M'Bororo (Bos indicus) Bulls

Morphometric data of the reproductive organs and the gonadal and extra-gonadal sperm reserves were determined in sexually mature M'bororo bulls. The mean body weight was 560±15.8kg and measured 175.8± 4.3cm at the withers. The mean paired testes weight and scrotal circumference were 266.5± 28.9g and 28.2±0.8cm, respectively. The body weight was significantly and positively correlated with the testicular sperm reserves (P < 0.05). The paired testicular sperm reserves was 27.3±3.1 x 109. The mean weights of the accessory glands were: Seminal Vesicles, 42.2±4g; ampullae, 12.4±2.0g; Prostate gland, 2.2±0.29g and 1.3±0.3g for the bulbourethral gland. The mean penile length was 80.9±2.9cm while the glans penis and the urethral process measured 3.1 ±0.1 cm and 1.9±0.1cm, respectively.Keywords: Morphometric Studies, sperm reserves, M'bororo bul

A Morphometric study of the craniofacial region of basic white and basic brown sahel goat ecotypes in Nigeria

This study involved the measurements of some parameters in the craniofacial regions of the basically white and the basically brown Sahel goat ecotypes in Nigeria. The mean±SD weights of their heads were 1.13±0.45kg and 1.19±0.19kg respectively. The lengths ofrima oris were 11.19=1:1.09cm for the basic white and 10.80±0.75cm for the basic brown ecotype. The palpebral fissure lengths were asymmetrical in both ecotypes. Similar asymmetries were observed in the lengths of external nares of both ecotypes with the right being insignificantly longer than the left (2.59±0.30cm, 2.59±0.32cm for the white and 2.54±0.21cm, 2.58±0.20cm for the brown ecotypes). The basic white ecotypes had longer and pendulous external ears (15.86=1.79cm and 16.46±1.20cm) and wider orbital rim circumferences (10.76±1.76cm and 10.74±1.52cm) with significant differences (