and Histometrical Studies on the Small Intestine of the Dromedary Camel (Camelus dromedarius)

Abstract

The small intestine was divided into the three parts; duodenum included cranial part (ampulla), descending and ascending duodenum, jejunum and ileum share a common histological pattern with some specific characteristics of their own. This investigation aimed to study the gross morphometry and histometrical measurements of small intestine of camel foetuses included the duodenum, jejunum and ileum in all trimesters. It was conducted on seventeen fresh specimens of small intestine in different trimesters and both sexes. These specimens used to measure the length, weight and volume. Nine foetuses in different trimesters were used for the histometric measurements. The results revealed significant differences between the gross morphometry of length, weight and volume of small intestine of camel foetuses in first, second and third trimesters, the respective lengths of the duodenum, jejunum and ileum in the first trimester were 2.1±0.22 cm, 21±3.71 cm and 1.7±0.60 cm; in the second trimester, they were 5.1±1.56 cm, 87.6±16.72 cm and 4.1±0.74 cm; in the third trimester, the measurements were 7.75±3.11 cm, 139.5±64.51 cm and 8.06±4.55 cm. The mean volume of small intestine was (75.65±79.34 cm³), whereas the mean weight of small intestine was (86.35±103.40 gm). The general histometric measurements of small intestine included length of villi, thickness of tunica mucosa, tunica submucosa, tunica muscularis and tunica serosa in all trimesters included duodenal ampulla, duodenum, jejunum and ileum. In conclusion, the results revealed highly significant differences in gross morphometry and histometry studies at all parts of small intestine during all trimesters.