postnatal growth changes of the vertebral column in one humped male camel (camelus dromedaries)

total, regional and segmental growth rate of vertebral column were studied during the postnatal life of 30 male camels. these animals were into five groups of neonate, 1 y, 2.5-3y, 4-4.5y, 5.5-6y and 7-10 years divided. the results revealed that, although the growth rate was higher in younger animals than the older ones, but it was not constant in an regions and it was varied according to the age of animals. increase in total length of vertebral column was 2.26 times in 7-10 years old camel compared to the neonate animals. the cervical region of the vertebral column was the longest, followed by thoracic, coccygeal, lumber and sacral region respectively in all age groups. the longest and the snortest vertebral segments and also osseous part of vertebral segments in each region have been documented in the text of article.