A Biometric Study of Some Reproductive Components of the Male Domestic Local Breed Cat (<i>Felis catus domestica</i>) in Northwest Nigeria

Abstract

A biometrical study was conducted on some aspects of the reproductive system of 16 local breed Tom cats (Felis catus domestica) collected within Sokoto metropolis at different ages. The age of the cats was estimated from teeth eruption and wearing and grouped into groups A to E as A (3- 6 months), B(6 months - 1 year), C(1- 1½ year), D(1½ -2 years) and E(2-4 years) respectively. Age difference was the major consideration factor during this study. The mean live weight of the tom cats were 0.78 ± 0.02kg, 1.25 ± 0.0 7kg, 1.63 ± 0.06, 2.1± 0.06kg and 2.3 ± 0.08kg respectively. The percentage of the mean genitalia weight compared to the mean body weight in relation to their age showed a range of 0.5-1%. The mean weight, length and width of the testes were recorded with no significant difference between the right and left testis. The mean weight of the genitalia at an age of 3-6 months was 8.4±0.02g. The age at puberty of tom cats was about 6months and the weight of the genitalia drastically increased with advancement in age from 8.88±0.07g at 6months-1year to 11.71±0.05g at above 4 years of age. The mean length and width of the penis were also recorded; the weights of the prostate gland were recorded with special consideration of their ages. The bulbourethral glands were present but hardly distinguishable grossly from the urethra both in length, width and in weight. It was concluded that the age of puberty of our domestic tom cat in this area is 6months of age. It was recommended that a thorough investigation on the age related factor governing the development of anatomical features of the male reproductive tract of our domestic cat. The findings were discussed in the paper.

Keywords: Age, Male, Biometry, Domestic Tom Cat, Reproduction, North-western Nigeria