Author/Authors :
S. A، Hena نويسنده Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria , , M. L، Sonfada نويسنده Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria , , B. I، Onyeanusi نويسنده Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Nigeria , , R. O. C، Kene نويسنده Department of Medicine, Surgery and Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto , , J. E، Onu نويسنده Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria , , A.، Umar, نويسنده , , S. A، Shehu نويسنده Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria ,
Abstract :
The calcium and phosphorus contents of the calvarial bones of one-humped camel fetuses were evaluated in this study. Thirty-two wasted camel fetuses collected from Sokoto central abattoir were used. The bone mineral content values for the phosphorus of the fetuses at first trimester had a mean value of 0.27±0.01% and calcium mean value of 0.60±0.04% respectively for the frontal, parietal, interparietal, temporal and occipital bones. For the second trimester, phosphorus and calcium had mean values of 0.59±0.05% and 0.71±0.11% respectively. At the third trimester, the phosphorus had a mean value of 0.77±0.10%, while the calcium had 1.99±0.25%. Calcium and phosphorus values of the frontal bones for each trimester showed least values which were closely followed by the parietal bones, whereas the occipital bones showed the highest values for both calcium and phosphorus at each of the trimester stages. This implied that the frontal and parietal bones are least mineralized and thus, such parts of the calvaria are relatively fragile and need careful handling especially when dealing with the neonates; consequently these regions of the skull are considered as ideal stunning points during humane slaughter procedures of camels.
