Evaluation of Calvarial Bone Thickness in One-Humped Camel Fetuses

Abstract

Thicknesses of the calvarial bones of one-humped camel (Camelus dromedarius) fetuses were evaluated. Thirty-two samples of first, second and third trimester fetuses obtained from Sokoto municipal abattoir were used for the study. The mean thicknesses for the frontal bones are 1.30±0.02mm, 1.47±0.08mm and 1.54±0.07mm for the 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd trimester respectively.  Parietal bones of the fetuses belonging to the 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd trimester had their values as 1.42±0.01mm, 1.435±0.12mm and 1.49±0.02mm respectively. Interparietal bones had mean values as 1.505±0.01mm, 2.36±0.03mm and 2.415±0.04mm at the 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd trimesters respectively. Occipital bones of the 1^st, 2^nd  and 3^rd trimester fetuses had their mean values as 2.36±0.08mm, 2.57±0.01mm and 4.78±0.03mm respectively, while the temporal bones of the 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd trimester fetuses had their values as 1.28±0.04mm, 1.85±0.27mm and 3.17±0.05mm respectively. The study showed that there were variations in the bone thickness (BT) of the calvarial bones, with the frontal and parietal bones having the least thicknesses while the occipital bone had the highest BT values, thus, this could formed a basis for the consideration of the frontal and parietal regions in situation such as stunning with captive bolt pistol in humane slaughter of camel, as these bones overlying the brain in this region appeared thinner.