Some aspects of post-natal growth of Arabi sheep: Live weight and body organs

Abstract

Twelve age groups of 8 Arabi sheep (4 male and 4 female) each, viz. at birth, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 12, 15, and 18 months old, and of mature age were selected and slaughtered to find out the growth of live body weight and the growth and maturity coefficients of the following parts or organs head, pelt, feet, liver, heart, lungs and trachea, kidneys, spleen, testes, alimentary canal including oesophagus, stomach and small and large intestines. Males were heavier than females at all ages and the differences increased with age. However, the percentages of head, pelt and feet decreased with age and had growth coefficient values significantly < 1, while their maturity coefficient values were significantly> 1, indicating that these parts were low impetus and early maturing. While the spleen and testes were high impetus and early maturing. The growth patterns of the alimentary canal, oesophagus and stomach percentages were increased up to the age of 6 months and gradually decreased up to the maturity. The b values for alimentary canal, esophagus and trachea, stomach and large intestine were significantly> 1, and were high impetus, while the small intestine showed low impetus. Alimentary canal, esophagus and small and large intestine were early maturing while stomach was late maturing. Sex had no significant effect on all growth and maturing coefficients of all traits studied.