Authors : B.I. Onyeanusi , A.A. Adeniyi , J.O. Ayo and J.O. Nzalak
Abstract: Morphometric studies were carried out using standard procedures on the kidney of the African Giant Rat (AGR). The average kidney weight was 2.085±0.044 g. The right kidney was significantly (p< 0.05) heavier than the left. The male kidneys were larger than those of the female and the values obtained were 2.119±0.062 g and 2.053±0.009 g, respectively. The average liveweight of the AGR was 8.63.520±3.74 g. The relative thickness of the medulla was 4.30. The results of the present study provide baseline morphometric data on the kidney of the AGR which had been lacking. The value of the relative thickness of the medulla (4.3), similar to those of the dog (4.2) and the cat (4.8), suggests that the AGR does not have special anatomical adaptation in the urinary system for water economy. The capability to thrive well in arid environment probably lies somewhere else.
B.I. Onyeanusi , A.A. Adeniyi , J.O. Ayo and J.O. Nzalak , 2007. Morphometric Studies on the Kidneys of the African Giant Rat (Cricetomys Gambianus Waterhouse) . Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 6: 1273-1276.