Foetal Circulation of the Dromedary Camel ( Camelus dromedarius )

摘要

In this study, we examined 22 dromedary camel foetus (101-393 days of gestation). Blood enters the fetus through 2 large umbilical veins that unite in a large intra-abdominal venous sinus, about 1-8 cm from the liver and then drains into the liver via a single vein. The umbilical vein is joined by the portal vein and empties into the ductus venosus. The ductus venosus then join the vena cava caudalis intrahepatically. The hepatic sinusoids join some branches of the portal vein. Beyond the origin of the external iliac arteries, 2 large umbilical arteries which are branches of the aorta abdominalis, reach the placenta where they divide into smaller branches. This study was conducted to investigate the foetal circulation of the dromedary camel during the 3 trimesters. specimens were dissected either in a fresh state or after intravenous fixation in 10% formalin. Five specimens were injected with vinyl acetate. In the camel fetus, blood from the placenta is carried to the fetus by 2 large umbilical veins that empty in an intra-abdominal venous sinus; 1 vein emerges and enters the liver.