Pre-natal Morphology of Male Reproductive Organs of Camelus dromedarius

Abstract

The reproductive system is a key to survival of specie. The male reproductive system plays a vital role in the production, formation, maturation, and transportation of spermatozoa to the female specie.  Little attention has been given to the male fetal reproductive system in Camelus dromedarius. The study was aimed to document the normal gross morphology of the male fetal one-humped dromedary. Forty-five (45) male fetal reproductive organs were used. The fetus age was determined classified into 3 trimesters. The foetuses were dissected from the xiphoid region through the abdominal wall to the preputial orifice to expose and examine the reproductive organs. Morphologically, the testicles were oblong, pale in color and located in the abdominal cavity at the first trimester, moved caudally with a condensing gubernaculum at the 2^nd trimester. But did not descend into the scrotum at the third trimester. Ultimately, the testis did not descend before birth. The epididymis was close in contact with the testis throughout its fetal life. Vas deference coursed from the cauda epididymis to the prostate at the base of the bladder. The penis presented a cylindrical form at the first trimester. It was distinct into base, body and glans at the second trimester with a slight arc mid-way of its body. The sigmoid flexure was noted to be curlier at the third trimester. The reproductive organs of the male fetal Camelus dromedarius have some considerable differences from other domesticated animals especially the ruminants