Gross and morphometrical studies on the first second and third lumbar vertebrae of blue bull (Boselaphus tragocamelus)

Abstract

The present study was carried out on the cranial lumbar vertebrae (L1, L2 and L3) of adult Blue bull (Boselaphus tragocamelus) of either sex. It was revealed that the centrum of cranial lumbar vertebrae was constricted in the middle, but expanded at either end. They presented a rudimentary ventral crest. The intervertebral foramina were often double in the cranial part of the series and were very large further back. The transverse process was a long plate of bone that spread out laterally at right angles from the centrum, being slightly bent forward. The borders of the transverse processes were thin, irregular and presented projections of variable size and form. The dorsal supraspinous processes were broad and flattened plates of bone. These processes were relatively low, wide and perpendicular to the long axis of the vertebrae. The articular processes were well developed and placed further apart than in the thoracic region. They were large and their facets were strongly curved. The mamillary processes were fused with the cranial articular processes and were thick and tuberous. The cranial articular processes were concave and directed medially, whereas the caudal ones were convex and directed laterally. Biometrical observations on different parameters of cranial lumbar vertebrae reflected significance (P less than 0.05) differences between the sexes of this species.

Full text

AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATION CENTRE
www.arccjournals.com/www.ijaronline.in
B-3575
[1-5]
*Corresponding author’s e-mail and address: srinivas.ouat@gmail.com.
Department of Veterinary Anatomy and Histology, C.V.Sc. and A.H., OUAT, Bhubaneswar –751 003, Odisha, India.
1KVK, Jharsuguda, OUAT, Bhubaneshwar -751003, ODISH
Indian J. Anim. Res.,
Print ISSN:0367-6722 / Online ISSN:0976-0555
Gross and morphometrical studies on the first second and third lumbar
vertebrae of blue bull (Boselaphus tragocamelus)
S. Sathapathy*, B.S. Dhote, D. Mahanta, S. Tamilselvan, M. Mrigesh and S.K. Joshi1
Department of Veterinary Anatomy, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences,
G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar – 263 145, Uttarakhand, India.
Received: 09-02-2018 Accepted: 02-05-2018 DOI: 10.18805/ijar.B-3575
ABSTRACT
The present study was carried out on the cranial lumbar vertebrae (L1, L2 and L3) of adult Blue bull (Boselaphus
tragocamelus) of either sex. It was revealed that the centrum of cranial lumbar vertebrae was constricted in the middle, but
expanded at either end. They presented a rudimentary ventral crest. The intervertebral foramina were often double in the
cranial part of the series and were very large further back. The transverse process was a long plate of bone that spread out
laterally at right angles from the centrum, being slightly bent forward. The borders of the transverse processes were thin,
irregular and presented projections of variable size and form. The dorsal supraspinous processes were broad and flattened
plates of bone. These processes were relatively low, wide and perpendicular to the long axis of the vertebrae. The articular
processes were well developed and placed further apart than in the thoracic region. They were large and their facets were
strongly curved. The mamillary processes were fused with the cranial articular processes and were thick and tuberous. The
cranial articular processes were concave and directed medially, whereas the caudal ones were convex and directed laterally.
Biometrical observations on different parameters of cranial lumbar vertebrae reflected significance (P<0.05) differences
between the sexes of this species.
Key words: Blue bull, Cranial, Gross, Lumbar vertebrae, Morphometry, Sex.
INTRODUCTION
The Blue bull (Boselaphus tragocamelus) is known
to be one of the biggest antelopes in Asia and is widely found
in both the forests and adjoining villages with enough green
grass. It is quite prevalent in northern and central parts of
India especially in the foothills of Himalayas, eastern part
of Pakistan and southern part of Nepal, but has vanished
from Bangladesh (Sathapathy et al., 2017). The Blue bulls
are safeguarded beneath the IUCN since 2003 and also under
safeguard of ‘Schedule III’ of the Indian Wildlife Protection
Act, 1972 (Bagchi et al., 2004). The Blue bull is safeguarded
in various parts of India such as Gir National Park (Gujarat),
Kumbhalgarh Sanctuary (Rajasthan) and Panchamarahi
Biosphere Reserve (M.P),. The massive body of the Blue
bull can be attributed to the large skeleton of the antelope.
Further, the skeleton comprises of large and massive bones
of axial and appendicular skeleton that not only protects the
viscera, but also provides shape and support to the heavy
musculature of the Blue bull. The present osteo-
morphological study developed a baseline data on the cranial
lumbar vertebrae of adult Blue bull that would immensely
help the wild life anatomists and veterinarians in species
identification and solving forensic and vetero-legal cases as
no previous work has been done in this field on the Blue
bull.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The present study was carried out on the cranial
lumbar vertebrae (L1, L2 and L3) of adult Blue bulls
(Boselaphus tragocamelus) with three animals from each
sex. The permission for the collection of bones was acquired
from the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF),
Government of Rajasthan. The bones were procured from
the Jodhpur zoo, Rajasthan after getting authentic
confirmation from the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests
(PCCF), Government of Rajasthan vide letter no. F, 3(04)
Tech-II/CCF/2013/2077, dated 12.12.2014, Chief
Conservator of Forest (CCF) vide letter no. F, 3(04) Tech-
11/CCF/2013/2326, dated 12.01.2015 and subsequently from
the Deputy Conservator of Forest (Wildlife), Jodhpur s.n./
sam/388-90, dated 22.01.2015. The skeletons were taken
out from the burial ground that was located in the premises
of the office of the Deputy Conservator of Forest Wildlife
(WL), Jodhpur. Afterwards, the specimens were processed
as per standard techniques (Choudhary et al., 2015). The
gross study was conducted under the supervision of the Zoo
Authority, Jodhpur, India. The different parameters of cranial
lumbar vertebrae were measured and subjected to standard
statistical analysis (Snedecor and Cochran, 1994) and
independent samples t-Test with Systat Software Inc, USA
and SPSS 16.0 version software.

2 INDIAN JOURNAL OF ANIMAL RESEARCH
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The total number of lumbar vertebrae in Blue bull
were six, where the first three (L1, L2 and L3) were
considered as cran ial ones and last three (L4, L5 and L6)
were regarded as caudal lumbar vertebrae. The centrum of
cranial lumbar vertebrae was constricted in the middle, but
expanded at either end resembling those of the thoracic
vertebrae. They presented a rudimentary ventral crest. The
intervertebral foramina in lumbar vertebrae of Blue bull were
often double in the cranial part of the series and were found
to be very large further back. Biometrical studies revealed
that the average length of the body of the first lumbar vertebra
was found to be 4.52±0.09 cm in adult Blue bull. Further, it
was found to be 4.33±0.09 cm in females that was
significantly lesser (P<0.05) than that of males, where it was
found to be 4.70±0.06 cm. The average widths of the body
of the first lumbar vertebra at the dorsal, middle and ventral
aspects were found to be 3.45±0.11 cm, 3.58±0.09 cm and
2.75±0.08 cm respectively in adult Blue bull. Further, the
widths at these sites were measured to be 3.27±0.12 cm,
3.40±0.06 cm and 2.67±0.12 cm respectively in females,
where the middle width was significantly lesser (P<0.05)
than that of males. In males, the above widths were recorded
as 3.63±0.09 cm, 3.77±0.09 cm and 2.83±0.09 cm
respectively. The average heights of the body of the first
lumbar vertebra at the cranial, middle and caudal aspects
were found to be 4.85±0.09 cm, 3.47±0.07 cm and 4.13±0.11
cm respectively in adult Blue bull. Further, the heights at
these sites were measured to be 4.70±0.12 cm, 3.33±0.03
cm and 3.90±0.06 cm respectively in females, where the
middle and caudal widths were significantly lesser (P<0.05)
than that of males. In males, the above heights were recorded
as 5.00±0.06 cm, 3.60±0.06 cm and 4.37±0.09 cm
respectively. The average length of the body of the second
lumbar vertebra was found to be 4.83±0.11 cm in adult Blue
bull. Further, it was found to be 4.60±0.06 cm in females
that was significantly lesser (P<0.05) than that of males,
where it was found to be 5.07±0.09 cm. The average widths
of the body of the second lumbar vertebra at the dorsal,
middle and ventral aspects were found to be 3.60±0.08 cm,
3.65±0.10 cm and 2.82±0.09 cm respectively in adult Blue
bull. Further, the widths at these sites were measured to be
3.47±0.09 cm, 3.47±0.09 cm and 2.67±0.15 cm respectively
in females, where the middle width was significantly lesser
(P<0.05) than that of males. In males, the above widths were
recorded as 3.73±0.09 cm, 3.83±0.09 cm and 2.97±0.03 cm
respectively. The average heights of the body of the second
lumbar vertebra at the cranial, middle and caudal aspects
were found to be 3.58±0.09 cm, 3.48±0.08 cm and 4.23±0.07
cm respectively in adult Blue bull. Further, the heights at
these sites were measured to be 3.40±0.06 cm, 3.33±0.09
cm and 4.13±0.09 cm respectively in females, where the
cranial and middle widths were significantly lesser (P<0.05)
than that of males. In males, the above heights were recorded
as 3.77±0.09 cm, 3.63±0.03 cm and 4.33±0.09 cm
respectively. The average length of the body of the third
lumbar vertebra was found to be 5.18±0.14 cm in adult Blue
bull. Further, it was found to be 4.93±0.09 cm in females
that was significantly lesser (P<0.05) than that of males,
where it was found to be 5.43±0.15 cm. The average widths
of the body of the third lumbar vertebra at the dorsal, middle
and ventral aspects were found to be 3.58±0.11 cm,
3.73±0.09 cm and 2.85±0.11 cm respectively in adult Blue
bull. Further, the widths at these sites were measured to be
3.37±0.07 cm, 3.57±0.09 cm and 2.63±0.09 cm respectively
in females that were significantly lesser (P<0.05) than that
of males. In males, the above widths were recorded as
3.80±0.12 cm, 3.90±0.06 cm and 3.07±0.09 cm respectively.
The average heights of the body of the third lumbar vertebra
at the cranial, middle and caudal aspects were found to be
4.68±0.16 cm, 3.52±0.12 cm and 3.57±0.10 cm respectively
in adult Blue bull. Further, the heights at these sites were
measured to be 4.37±0.09 cm, 3.30±0.10 cm and 3.37±0.09
cm respectively in females that were significantly lesser
(P<0.05) than that of males. In males, the above heights were
recorded as 5.00±0.15 cm, 3.73±0.12 cm and 3.77±0.07 cm
respectively. Rajani et al. (2011) observed the lengths of
bodies of L1, L2, L3, L4, L5, L6 and L7 in leopards
(Panthera pardus) as 2.5 cm, 2.7 cm, 2.8 cm, 3.2 cm, 3.4
cm, 3.5 cm and 2.8 cm respectively. They found the widths
were 2.7 cm, 2.9 cm, 3 cm, 3.3 cm, 3.4 cm, 3.6 cm and 3.8
cm respectively. Further, they recorded the heights of the
bodies of L1, L2, L3, L4, L5, L6 and L7 as 1.5 cm, 1.5 cm,
1.6 cm, 1.6 cm, 1.9 cm, 1.9 cm and 1.9 cm respectively.
The average vertical diameter of vertebral canal of
first lumbar vertebra was found to be 1.41±0.03 cm in adult
Blue bull. Further, it was measured as 1.34±0.02 cm in
females that was significantly lesser (P<0.05) than that of
males, where it was found to be 1.48±0.02 cm. The average
transverse diameter of vertebral canal of first lumbar vertebra
was found to be 1.64±0.04 cm in adult Blue bull. Further, it
was measured as 1.58±0.05 cm and 1.70±0.02 cm in females
and males respectively. The average vertical diameter of
vertebral canal of second lumbar vertebra was found to be
1.28±0.03 cm in adult Blue bull. Further, it was measured as
1.22±0.02 cm in females that was significantly lesser
(P<0.05) than that of males, where it was found to be
1.33±0.02 cm. Similarly, the average transverse diameter of
vertebral canal of second lumbar vertebra was found to be
1.93±0.03 cm in adult Blue bull. Further, it was measured as
1.87±0.02 cm in females that was significantly lesser
(P<0.05) than that of males, where it was found to be
1.99±0.01 cm. The average vertical diameter of vertebral
canal of third lumbar vertebra was found to be 1.76±0.05
cm in adult Blue bull. Further, it was measured as 1.67±0.04
cm and 1.85±0.06 cm in females and males respectively.
Similarly, the average transverse diameter of vertebral canal

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Fig 1: Caudal view of first lumbar vertebra of adult male Blue bull (Boselaphus tragocamelus) showing a) Dorsal supraspinous
process, b) Anterior articular process c) Posterior articular process, d) Transverse process, e) Posterior surface of body, f) Lumbar
vertebral foramen, g) Pedicle and h) Laminae.
Fig 2: Caudal view of second lumbar vertebra of adult male Blue bull (Boselaphus tragocamelus) showing a) Dorsal supraspinous
process, b) Anterior articular process c) Posterior articular process, d) Transverse process, e) Pedicle, f) Intervertebral foramen, g)
Posterior surface of body, h) Lumbar vertebral foramen and i) Laminae.
of third lumbar vertebra was found to be 1.74±0.07 cm in
adult Blue bull. Further, it was measured as 1.61±0.09 cm
and 1.87±0.05 cm in females and males respectively. Rajani
et al. (2011) recorded the widths of vertebral canal of L1,
L2, L3, L4, L5, L6 and L7 in leopards (Panthera pardus) as
2 cm, 2 cm, 2.1 cm, 2.1 cm, 2.3 cm, 2.6 cm and 2.9 cm
respectively. Further, they found the heights of the vertebral
canal as 1.4 cm, 1.4 cm, 1.3 cm, 1.3 cm, 1.2 cm, 1.1 cm and
1.1 cm respectively.
The transverse process was a long plate of bone
that spread out laterally at right angles from the centrum,
being slightly bent forward (Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3 and Fig. 4).
It was found to be thick at the base. The borders of the
transverse processes were thin, irregular and presented
projections of variable size and form. Biometrical
observations revealed that the average length of transverse
process of first lumbar vertebra was found to be 7.83±0.06
cm in adult Blue bull. Further, the length was measured to
be 7.72±0.06 cm in females that was significantly lesser
(P<0.05) than that of males, where it was found to be
7.95±0.08 cm long. The average length of transverse process
of second lumbar vertebra was found to be 8.24±0.07 cm in
adult Blue bull. Further, the length was measured to be
8.08±0.06 cm in females that was significantly lesser
(P<0.05) than that of males, where it was found to be
8.40±0.08 cm long. The average length of transverse process
of third lumbar vertebra was found to be 8.36±0.11 cm in
adult Blue bull. Further, the length was measured to be
8.07±0.07 cm in females that was significantly lesser
(P<0.05) than that of males, where it was found to be
8.65±0.11 cm long. Rajani et al. (2011) recorded the lengths
of transverse process of L1, L2, L3, L4, L5, L6 and L7 in
leopards (Panthera pardus) as 1.5 cm, 2.7 cm, 4.1 cm, 5.0
cm, 5.3 cm, 5.4 cm and 5.7 cm respectively.

4 INDIAN JOURNAL OF ANIMAL RESEARCH
Fig 3: Cranial view of third lumbar vertebra of adult male Blue bull (Boselaphus tragocamelus) showing a) Dorsal supraspinous
process, b) Posterior articular process c) Anterior articular process, d) Transverse process, e) Pedicle, f) Anterior surface of body,g)
Lumbar vertebral foramen and h) Laminae.
Fig 4: Dorsal view of lumbar vertebrae (L1 – L5) of adult male Blue bull (Boselaphus tragocamelus).
The dorsal supraspinous processes of the lumbar
vertebrae were found to be broad and flattened plates of
bone in Blue bull. These processes were relatively low, wide
and perpendicular to the long axis of the lumbar vertebrae
in Blue bull. The summits of the spinous processes were
moderately thickened. Biometrical observations revealed that
the average height of the dorsal supraspinous process of the
first lumbar vertebra was found to be 6.53±0.11 cm in adult
Blue bull. Further, the average heights were measured to be
6.37±0.12 cm and 6.70±0.12 cm in females and males
respectively. The average height of the dorsal supraspinous
process of the second lumbar vertebra was found to be
5.53±0.11 cm in adult Blue bull. Further, the average height
was measured to be 5.33±0.09 cm in females that was
significantly lesser (P<0.05) than that of males, where it was
found to be 5.73±0.09 cm in height. The average height of
the dorsal supraspinous process of the third lumbar vertebra
was found to be 6.10±0.10 cm in adult Blue bull. Further,
the average heights were measured to be 5.93±0.07 cm and
6.27±0.12 cm in females and males respectively. Rajani et
al. (2011) recorded the heights of dorsal supraspinous
processes of L1, L2, L3, L4, L5, L6 and L7 in leopards
(Panthera pardus) as 1.7 cm, 2.0 cm, 2.3 cm, 2.6 cm, 2.7
cm, 2.5 cm and 2.3 cm respectively.
The articular processes of the lumbar vertebrae were
well developed and were placed further apart than in the
thoracic region. They were large and their facets were
strongly curved. The mamillary processes were fused with
the cranial articular processes and were thick and tuberous.
The cranial articular processes were found to be concave
and directed medially, whereas the caudal ones were convex
and directed laterally. Biometrical observations revealed that
the average distance between the cranial and caudal articular
processes of the first lumbar vertebra was found to be
2.67±0.15 cm in adult Blue bull. Further, the average
distances were measured as 2.45±0.22 cm and 2.88±0.20
cm in females and males respectively. The average distance
between the two cranial articular processes of first lumbar
vertebra was found to be 2.88±0.14 cm in adult Blue bull.
Further, the average distances were measured as 2.63±0.09
cm and 3.13±0.18 cm in females and males respectively.
Similarly, the average distance between the two caudal

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articular processes of first lumbar vertebra was found to be
2.07±0.07 cm in adult Blue bull. Further, the average
distances were measured as 1.97±0.09 cm and 2.17±0.07
cm in females and males respectively. The average distance
between the cranial and caudal articular processes of the
second lumbar vertebra was found to be 3.66±0.08 cm in
adult Blue bull. Further, the average distance was measured
as 3.48±0.06 cm in females that was significantly lesser
(P<0.05) than that of males, where they were found to be
3.83±0.10 cm apart. The average distance between the two
cranial articular processes of second lumbar vertebra was
found to be 2.10±0.06 cm in adult Blue bull. Further, the
average distances were measured as 2.03±0.09 cm and
2.17±0.07 cm in females and males respectively. Similarly,
the average distance between the two caudal articular
processes of second lumbar vertebra was found to be
1.78±0.12 cm in adult Blue bull. Further, the average distance
was measured as 1.53±0.09 cm in females that was
significantly lesser (P<0.05) than that of males, where they
were found to be 2.03±0.09 cm apart. The average distance
between the cranial and caudal articular processes of the
third lumbar vertebra was found to be 4.18±0.09 cm in adult
Blue bull. Further, the average distance was measured as
3.97±0.08 cm in females that was significantly lesser
(P<0.05) than that of males, where they were found to be
4.40±0.11 cm apart. The average distance between the two
cranial articular processes of third lumbar vertebra was found
to be 2.73±0.15 cm in adult Blue bull. Further, the average
distance was measured as 2.43±0.09 cm in females that was
significantly lesser (P<0.05) than that of males, where they
were found to be 3.03±0.12 cm apart. Similarly, the average
distance between the two caudal articular processes of third
lumbar vertebra was found to be 1.82±0.12 cm in adult Blue
bull. Further, the average distance was measured as
1.60±0.12 cm in females that was significantly lesser
(P<0.05) than that of males, where they were found to be
2.03±0.09 cm apart. These findings were in disagreement
with the reports in ox, horse and sheep (Getty et al., 1930),
ox (Raghavan, 1964 and Frandson and Spurgeon, 1992), dog
(Miller et al., 1964) in camel (Smuts and Bezuidenhout,
1987) and in chital (Meena, 2012), where the cranial articular
processes were nearer than the caudal ones of the same
lumbar vertebra.
CONCLUSIONS
The present gross and morphometrical study on the
lumbar vertebrae of adult Blue bull revealed that the
parameters such as length, widths and heights of the body,
length of transverse process, distance between the articular
processes, height of dorsal supraspinous process and
diameters of vertebral canal were significantly more (P<0.05)
in adult males than females. There is no previous information
on these parameters in the sacrum of Blue bull, nor in any
other domestic animals in India with which comparisons
could be made. We therefore believe that the data presented
above would form a baseline for further work especially
comparability and compatibility are now desirable traits as
efforts are geared up towards massive improvement in the
livestock sector of the international economy.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The authors are grateful to the Ministry of
Environment of Forests (MoEF), New Delhi and Jodhpur
Zoo, Rajasthan, India for providing facilities and support
for carrying out research on the bones of Blue bull. Funding
was provided by Department of Science and Technology,
New Delhi and Indian Council of Agricultural research, New
Delhi, India as Ph.D. grant (DST-INSPIRE Fellowship and
ICAR-SRF (PGS)) to the first author.
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