Abstract

The egg yield is determined by the number of ovarian follicles that ovulate and the oviduct's capability to form a hard-shelled egg around the egg cell. However, the morphological characteristics of the reproductive organs in Boschveld chickens have not been explored. The present study aimed to evaluate the morphology of the reproductive system, including the oviduct and the developing ova in the Boschveld chicken breed. To perform a morphological analysis, ovarian follicles and oviducts were obtained from six Boschveld hens (Out of a total of twenty), aged 30 weeks, sourced from the University of Limpopo experimental farm in South Africa. The present results revealed significant differences in both the weight and number of small white (2-4 mm), large white (5-6 mm), and small yellow (7-8 mm) follicles. Among the mature follicles, Follicle 1 (F1) exhibited the highest weight, whereas F6 demonstrated the lowest weight. Additionally, the weights and lengths of the infundibulum, magnum, isthmus, and shell gland varied significantly in Boschveld chickens. The present findings indicated that the magnum was the heaviest and longest oviduct segment in Boschveld chickens, and the heaviest pre-ovulatory follicle was ovarian F1, followed by ovarian F2. The results revealed a distinct profile characterized by many small white follicles and a well-developed magnum, which is the largest part of the oviduct. These findings provided a crucial anatomical baseline for the breed, indicating that the structure of the follicular hierarchy and oviduct plays a crucial role in its egg-laying ability. Improving the development and function of these reproductive parts could boost productivity in the Boschveld breed.