Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Department of Veterinary Anatomy, University of Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria.
2
Department of Veterinary Anatomy, University of Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria.
3
Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria
4
Department of Veterinary Physiology, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria.
5
Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue State Nigeria.
6
Depot Nigerian Army/Nigerian Military School Medical Centre, Chindit Cantonment, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria.
Abstract
This study was conducted to inves- tigate the morphological develop- ment of the Helmeted Guinea fowl (Numida meleagris) gastrointestinal tract pre- and post-hatch. Eighty seven (87) eggs were purchased from the Poultry unit of National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI), out of which eighty one (81) were used for pre-hatch and six (6) were allowed to hatch for post hatch studies. The development was rec- orded daily at pre-hatch while it was observed at day 1 and 8 at post- hatch. The result revealed that at day 8 of incubation a digestive tube appeared with a roundish structure in the middle of the tube. By day 10 of incubation, a dilatation had ap- peared cranial to the roundish structure identified as the proventriculus. At the same time a small outgrowth appeared at the caudal end of the tube also identified as one of the caeca. By day 11 of incubation, the crop had appeared separating the oesophagus into cervical and thoracic parts, respectively. By days 12 and 13 of incubation the second caecum and the duodenal loop became apparent. With the appear- ance of the duodenal loop, the gross anatomical development of the guinea fowl GIT was completed. The residual yolk decreased with age until it became vestigial by day 8 post-hatch. This study revealed that days 8-13 of incubation are the most critical period for the gross formation of the GIT in the guinea fowl.
Keywords
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