Comparative anatomy of long bones of the appendicular skeleton of Yankassa sheep and Red Sokoto goat in Zaria Metropolis

Abstract

Morphometry of the long bones of the forelimbs and hindlimbs were studied in Yankassa sheep and Red Sokoto goat. A total of 10 goats and 10 sheep were used for the study. The lengths, and weights of the bones as well as the diameters for the proximal, distal extremities and mid-shaft were determined and compared between the two species using students t test.
The results indicated that the bones of the Yankassa sheep were heavier and longer, with greater diameter than those of the Red Sokoto goats of the same age. The differences were not statistically significant (p>0.05). The result of the study also provided some basic anatomical data on the long bones of these species of ruminants and could be applied in approximating the sizes of intramedullary pins required for fixation of fractures.


Key Words: Anatomy, small ruminant, Appendicular skeleton.

[Global Jnl Agric Sci Vol.1(1) 2002: 7-10]