Age related changes in the morphometric parameters of the heart, kidneys and adrenal glands of Nili-Ravi buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

Abstract

Forty clinically healthy Nili-Ravi buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) were divided into two age groups of 20 animals each viz., young (12-48 months of age) and adult (49-96 months) of each sex. These studies revealed that the absolute heart weight, absolute kidney's weight, the absolute adrenal gland's weight, mean values of width of heart, circumference, thickness of wall of right and left atria, thickness of wall of right and left ventricles, mean values of length of right and left kidneys, width, circumference, mean values of length of the adrenal glands were significantly (P<0.05) higher in adult buffaloes than young ones. The average relative heart weight, relative kidneys weight and the relative weight of adrenal glands was significantly (P<0.01) higher in young buffaloes as compared to the adult ones. While the relationship of the width of right adrenal glands between young and adult buffaloes were recorded as non-significant. The results of the present study are the first report on the age related morphological changes in the heart, kidneys and adrenal glands of buffalo. These age induced anatomical changes may affect the rennin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) and hence blood pressure of an individual.