Author/Authors :
Marzban Abbasabadi, Behrokh Department of Basic Sciences - Faculty of Veterinary Medicine - Amol University of Special Modern Technologies, Amol, Iran , Hajian, Omid School of Veterinary Medicine - Babol Branch - Islamic Azad University, Babol, Iran , Rahmati, Saber School of Veterinary Medicine - Babol Branch - Islamic Azad University, Babol, Iran
Abstract :
Introduction: The present study aimed to evaluate the morphometric differences of the skull
in male and female Zell sheep.
Methods: A total of 30 Zell sheep skulls (15 adult males and 15 adult females) were used in
this investigation. The skulls were cleaned by boiling maceration, and the mandibles were
disarticulated from the temporomandibular. Then, 19 parameters of the skull and 13 parameters
on the mandibles were measured using a digital Vernier caliper. The obtained results were
analyzed in SPSS by Independent Samples t-test (P<0.05).
Results: The distance of lateral alveolar root to mental foramen was significantly higher
in male Zell sheep (accuracy rate: 83.33%); however, no statistically significant difference
was observed in other cases. Furthermore, the mandible and the skull of Zell sheep were the
smallest among the other studied sheep breeds.
Conclusion: The distance of lateral alveolar root to mental foramen on mandible can be an
appropriate landmark in gender estimation in Zell sheep.
