GROSS MORPHOMETRIC STUDIES ON THE THYROID GLAND OF RED SOKOTO AND SAHEL GOATS

Abstract

The present study is conducted to compare the gross morphometry of the thyroid gland in Red Sokoto and Sahel goats at prenatal stages. A total of 90 fetuses were collected from the slaughter slabs of Batta and Ilella in Sokoto State and the Kano Central Abattoir in Kano State. The ages of the foetuses were divided into 3 groups on the basis of Curved Vertebral-Rump Length (CVRL): group I: 0 to 10 cm CVRL, group II: 10 to 20 cm CVRL and group III: 21 cm CVRL and above. The weight, median
longitudinal length, width and thickness of the thyroid gland were measured. The absolute values show that the numerical values are higher for SG than the RSG in most cases. The maximum absolute weights of the Right and Left prenatal thyroid glands in the RSG were 0.082 g and 0.189 g respectively and in SG were 0.154 g and 0.161 g respectively. The maximum length of the thyroid in both breeds is three times as much as the width. In this present study, the maximum absolute mean
thicknesses of the Right and Left prenatal thyroid lobes in the RSG were 1.980 mm and 2.080 mm respectively and in SG were found to be 1.200 mm and 1.260 mm respectively. The parameters showed increasing pattern with advancing age and the differences were significant (p≤0.05). It is concluded that the parameters of thyroid gland in RSG and SG also showed increasing
pattern with advancing age and the differences were significant.