Biometry of Male Genitalia and Internal Organ Characteristics of Indigenous Genotypes of Domestic Fowl in the Southern Guinea Savanna Region of Nigeria

A total of Thirty Nigerian indigenous genotypes of the domestic fowl, aged between 22-25 weeks were used to evaluate the biometry of male genitalia and internalorgan characteristics.The result showed significant (p<0.05) effect of genotype, on right epididymis weight with naked neck having a higher mean value of 0.17± 0.60g and normal feather with least value of 0.14± 0.03g. The paired vas deferensweight was significantly higher for frizzle feather (0.90± 0.12g. lower in normal feather (0.67± 0.24g) and naked neck (0.64± 0.15). The left testis length was significantly higher (3.83± 1.13cm) in normal feather and naked neck (2.83± 0.20cm) and least in frizzle feather (1.93± 0.38cm) .The left testis length follows the same trend. Significant effect of genotype was not observed on paired testes weight, Testis volume, epididymal lengths and vas deferens lengths. No significant (P>0.05) effect of Genotype was observedon absolute weights of heart, lungs and kidney; but significant effect (P<0.05) was found on relative weights of spleen, lungs and liver. The study provide baseline data for Nigeria indigenous genotypes of domestic fowl in the southern guinea savanna region which may be useful for future studies and breeding programmes aimed at genetic improvement of the reproductive performance of local chickens in Nigeria.