Prenatal Development of the Kidney of One-Humped Camel (Camelus dromedarius) – A Histomorphometric Study

Abstract

This study aimed at investigating the prenatal development of the kidney of the camel using standard histomorphometric methods. 
In the experiment, fifteen Camelus dromedarius foetuses obtained from Sokoto metropolitan abattoir at different gestational ages 
were used for the study. The fetuses were weighed and grouped according to their gestational ages which were estimated using 
their crown-vertebral-rump length. Five foetuses belong to first trimester, seven foetuses in the second trimester and three 
foetuses belong to third trimester. In all foetuses the kidneys were bean-shaped with smooth external surface and thick fibrous 
capsule which becomes thicker with advancement of gestational age. Well-developed ureters and distinct renal pelvis were 
evident at all stages of development. In each gestational age, values of the weight, length, width and volume of the kidney were 
determined. In addition the periodic differentiation of the cortex and medulla; their significance in relation to the renal 
histodiffrentiation was discussed. Histological sections showed evidence of collecting duct system that are numerous and 
extensively coiled in the cortex and medulla of the third trimester kidneys. This is an indication of the ability of the kidney to 
concentrate urine, in accordance with the counter-current mechanism of the kidney collecting system. It was suggested that the 
kidneys of the camel possess the anatomical features for the production of hypertonic urine owing with the adaptive behavior of 
desert animals. Thick capsule that increases in thickness was also noticed in the kidneys.