MORPHOMETRIC STUDIES ON EMBRYONIC LIVER OF GADDI SHEEP

Abstract

The present study was conducted on 40 Gaddi sheep foetii of either sex. The foetii were grouped in four groups viz., group-I (1-60days),group-II(61-90days),group-III(91-120days)and group-IV(121-fullterm). During very initial stages of development, the liver occupied major space of the abdominalcavity. The mean body weight of sheep foetii increased significantly from group-I to group-IV. The foetii body weight ranged from 0.38 gm to 37.48 gm in group-I, 40.00 gm to 275.00 gm in group-II, and 362.00 gm to 775.00 gm in group-III and 925 gm to 2000 gm in group-IV. Onan average the liver constituted 9.07% of total body weight between  gestational periods of 1-60 days. In group-II,II and IV liver accounted 8.45%, 6.15% and 5.49% respectively of the total body weight in Gaddi sheep foetii. Liver constitued only 3.20 % of the total body at CRL 42.4 cm (146 days of gestation). The weight, maximum length, total width and volume of liver were measured. The mean statistical differences of these parameters increased significantly with advancing gestational age. The volume of liver increased significantly with gestation and its minimum (0.10ml) and maximum (75.0ml) values were recorded at CRL2.50 (35 days of gestation) and 38.50(135 days of gestation) respectively. Relative weight of liver decreased with advancement of gestational age. Caudate lobe appeared at CRL 5.5cm (45 days of age). Renal fossa was formed because of lodgment of right kidney in it. Its size varied and depended upon the change in size of right kidney under normal conditions. The length of renal fossa increased but no significant difference was found between group-I and II. There was significant increase in length and width of right and left hepatic ducts with advancement of age.