Gross, Histological and Histomorphometric Studies on the Spleen of One Humped Camel (Camelus Dromedarius) Found in the Semi-Arid Region of North Eastern Nigeria

The spleen is a vital haemopoietic and immune organ of vertebrates. We investigated the gross, histologic and histomorphometric features of the spleen of One- humped Camel (Camelus dromedarius) present in Nigeria. A total of 20 spleens from healthy slaughtered camels were collected from Maiduguri municipal abattoir, Maiduguri for routine gross and histological examinations. The spleen were sliced to produce 3-4 mm thick samples fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin, passed through graded ethanol, cleared in xylene, impregnated and embedded in paraffin wax. Sections of 5?m thick were obtained and stained with haematoxylin and eosin as well as special stains for light microscopy. The spleens of camel appeared dark brown in colour. It was C-shaped with blunt and rough edges. The camel spleen was composed of thick capsule divided into an outer and inner layer. Vascular and avascular trabeculae extended from the capsule into the splenic parenchyma. The height of the white pulp was 490.2±82.37 (µm) against 458.10±56.35 (µm) of the white pulp width. Germinal centre height was 363.25±93.42 (µm) against 338.28±106.29 (µm) of the germinal centre width. The trabeculae width was 148.43±3.98 while the splenic capsule thickness was 171.37±7.72. Unique to the camel spleen was aggregation of the lymphatic nodules.