Histological Developmental Horizons in the Pre?Natal Development of the Male Reproductive Organs of the One-Humped Camel (Camelus dromedarius)

Dromedary or one-humped camel (Camelus dromedarius) belongs to the genus Camelus, and camel research is on the increase due to its importance as model for scientist in various discipline of biological science including reproduction. Here we examined the histological developmental horizons of the reproductive tract and accessory organs of fetal male Camelus dromedarius across three trimesters. A total number of fifteen (15) Camelus dromedarius male fetuses were collected from pregnant uteri (five in each trimester) and used for this study. Our results revealed an undifferentiated testis at the first trimester, developing sex cords appeared at the second trimester and marked tubular sex cords at the third trimester. The epididymis showed ducts lined with pseudostratified epithelium at the first trimester, enlarged ducts at the second trimester and larger ducts at the third trimester. The Vas deferens were frail at the first trimester, presented distinct muscular layers with a lumen at the second trimester and was lined by pseudostratified columnar at the third trimester. The prostate and bulbourethral glands were glandular. The mucosa of the penis was undifferentiated at the first trimester, a lumen with transitional epithelium was seen at the second trimester alongside with incomplete ectodermal lamina between the penis and preputial covering, which became wider at the third trimester. Our results provide new information on the histological features of the fetal reproductive organs in male Camelus dromedarius, an insight to reproductive management in this specie of mammal.

Key Words: Camelus dromedarius, fetal development, trimesters, male reproductive organs, histology