Abstract
This study was conducted to investigate the effect of age on internal organs characteristics and to predict the weights of these organs using body weight in white Fulani cattle. Nine male white Fulani cattle who were grouped in three age classes (3-3.5, 4-5, and 5.5-6.5 years) were used in this study. Data on internal organs (intestine, empty stomach, kidney, liver, heart, spleen and testis) were gotten and models for internal organs were also derived. One way analysis of variance was used to analyze the data obtained. Age significantly (P<0.005) influenced all the internal organs studied, with the organs increasing in weight as the animal advanced in age. The proportions of each internal organ with the live body weight were the same in all the age groups. The correlation coefficient between live body weight and internal organs were positive and highly significant (P<0.001) with correlation coefficient (r) ranging from 0.63-0.99, 0.62-0.99 and 0.63-1.00 for age groups 3-3.5 years, 4-5 years and 5.5-6.5 years respectively. Simple linear regression analysis showed that internal organs could be predicted accurately from live body weight at different ages studied. The highest R2 (1.00) was obtained when live weight was used to predict empty stomach weight in the 5.5-6.5 years age group. The results from the studies suggest that internal organs could be estimated more accurately by live body weight.