Occurrence of Polymelia in 9-Week-Old Male Broiler: Anatomical and Radiological Aspects

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Veterinary Anatomy, University of Abuja, Nigeria.

2 Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Abuja, Nigeria

Abstract

Polymelia was described in a 9- week-old broiler chicken macros- copically and radiographically. The external features showed two normal limbs and one undeveloped extra-limb. This extra-limb was attached to the caudal region of the pelvic bone and was surrounded by a mass of muscular tissue. The extra-limb was formed at a joint with the pelvis, presenting a characteristic incompletely duplicated femur and tibia. Radiographical examination showed that the right half of the pelvis had an extra femur which was attached to the acetabulum in addi- tion to the normal femur. Two other femurs were observed to have articulated with the pelvis at a point caudal to the right acetabulum. This phenomenon is very rare in chickens. Our findings, therefore, document the first report on the occurrence of polymelia in broilers in the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria.

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