Journal of Research and Development
Open Access

Abstract

A Biometric Study of the Lower Respiratory Tract of One-Humped Camel (Camelus Dromedarius) Fetuses

Bello A, JE Onu, BI Onyeanusi, MA Umaru, AI Deneji and ML Sonfada

A Biometrical study was conducted on the lower respiratory tract of 52 foetuses of the one-humped camel collected from the Sokoto metropolitan abattoir, over a period of three months at different gestational ages. The approximate age of the foetuses was estimated from the crown vertebral rump length [CVRL] and samples were categorised into early, middle and late of first, second and third trimester. The mean body weight, mean weights of the entire lower respiratory system of the foetus, mean weights of the various segment of lower respiratory system [trachea, bronchus and lungs] and individual segments of the lungs at early, middle and late of first, second third trimester were observed. It was observed that, there was increase in body weight; organ weight and individual segment of the lower respiratory system of the foetuses with advancement in gestation period. The number of tracheal rings was observed in all the stages of development and was found to be increasing progressively with advancement in gestational age. The mean volume of the segment of lower respiratory system [trachea, left lungs and right lungs] were observed and shown a progressive increase in body weight, weights of the entire lower respiratory system of the foetus and weights of the various segment of lower respiratory system of the various segments of the trachea showed a significant difference [P≤ 0.05] with advancement in gestational period. The mean length, width and diameter of the various segment of lower respiratory system [trachea, bronchus and lungs] were observed in all the stages of development. Result shown that, a geometrical increase in length, width and diameter of the various segments of the trachea and bronchus was significant [P≤ 0.05] with advancement in gestational period.