The Development of udder Measurements during Gestation in the Maghrebi She-Camel

The udders were followed by monthly observation and measurement starting from the day of mating (Dm = 0d) in 13 pregnant Maghrebi she-camels. They were classified according to the multiple parities into three classes (1-2 parities), (3-4 parities) and (5-6 parities). These measurements included: udder length, udder horizontal circumference, udder semi-vertical circumference, udder depth, udder size, udder height, teat length, teat diameter, and distance between teats. In all different udder measurements, the differences were ascending, from (1-2 parities) to (5-6 parities). Those differences varied between significant and nonsignificant according to the convergence between the multiple parities classes. The measurements did not agree with each other on a constant rate of increase in growth rates. Each measure differed from the rest of the measurements in its rates of increase between multiple parities classes. The differences were very clear in some of the measurements, while they diminished in others. No significant increase was observed in udder measurements during gestation, which were divided into five stages. The results of the study indicated that the effect the multiple parities in the Maghrebi she-camels had a significant impact on the udder measurements of all Types, much greater than the effect of the stages of one gestation on those measurements.