Comparative morphometry of the brainstem of the male and female Helmeted Guinea Fowl (Numida meleagris)

Abstract

Abstract The aim of this study was to obtain base-line morphometric data on the whole brain and brainstem in the adult male and female helmeted guinea fowl (Numida meleagris), and compare the result in the two sexes. Brain samples of seventy adult helmeted guinea fowls, comprising 35 males and 35 females, intended for slaughter, were extracted for the study. The body weights for both male and female helmeted guinea fowls were 1247 ± 5.51 g and 1230 ± 4.85 g, respectively. The mean brain weights were 3.39 ± 0.02 g and 3.47 ± 0.18 g for male and female, respectively, and the difference in the values was not significant (P > 0.05). The lengths of the brain and medulla oblongata, as well as the lengths of the midbrain and mesencephalic tectum, did not differ between the two sexes. Neither the mean weights nor lengths of the pons differed between the two sexes. In conclusion, the results of this study showed that there was no sex dimorphism observed in the morphometry of the midbrain, medulla oblongata and pons in the helmeted guinea fowl.