Determination of the correlations between the morphological characteristics and metapodial radiometric measurements of awassi sheep

Abstract

Aim: The study aims to determine the correlations between external structural characteristics and osteometric data of Awassi sheep. Materials and Methods: A total of 150 heads Awassi sheep (18-20 months of age), 100 females and 50 males were used in the study. After determining the sex and measuring the body weight, wither height, ridge height, rump height, rump width and rump length, sternum height, body length, shin circumference, bicostal diameter, chest circumference and pelvis width of sheep, metapodium radiographs were taken by digital mobile X-ray device with DR system. Results: Between the values GL, Bp, SD, Bd, Be, WCL for metacarpus and GL, Bp, SD, Bd, Be, WCM, WCL and CM for metatarsus, sexual dimorphism was statistically significant when the radiometric measurement values of the metapodiums are examined (p Conclusion: Metapodiums, which they complete their development early in the body had strong relationships with the body measurements. The results obtained from the study show that metapodial radiometric features have the potential to be used in selection studies in terms of growth and meat yield.

Keywords

• awassi sheep
• growth performance
• morphological characteristics
• metapodium