Eur J Anat, 13 (2): 71-75 (2009)

Biometrical observations on the testes and epididymis of the domesticated adult African great cane rat (Thryonomys swinderianus)

Olukole S.G., Oyeyemi M.O., Oke B.O.

Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan, Nigeria; Department of Veterinary Surgery and Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan, Nigeria

ABSTRACT Biometrical investigations were carried out on 23 biometrical parameters of the testes and epididymis of the domesticated adult African great cane rat (Thryonomys swinderianus), also known as the grasscutter. The average weight and age of the cane rats used in the study were 1.93 ± 0.42 kg and 18.80 ± 1.39 months respectively, with an average testicular size of 18.75 x 11.33mm. The average weights of the right and left testes were 1.18 ± 0.17g and 1.13 0.16g respectively, with a significant difference (p< 0.05). The average weights of the right and left epididymis were 0.32 g ad 0.30 g respectively, with no significant difference (p<0.05). There was a strong positive correlation (r = 0.8214) between the age of the rats and the weight of the testes and epididymis. The average percentage body weights for the testes and epididymis were 0.12% and 0.03% respectively. Unlike testicular parameters, there was no significant difference (p<0.05) between the right and left epididymal parameters. The results showed that the testes and epididymis of the cane rat are relatively smaller than those of comparable rodents. This work provides baseline data on the biometry of the testes and epididymis of the African great cane rats, thereby making available data useful in comparative regional anatomy and reproductive biology.

Keywords: animal experiment, animal tissue, article, biometry, epididymis, nonhuman, rat, testis, weight