Histomorphogenesis of dermis in prenatal and neonatal goats (Capra hircus)

Abstract

The study was conducted in 30 foetal (4.00 to 40.00 cm CR length) and 10 neonatal (up to 1 month of age) goats. The foetuses were divided into 3 groups on the basis ofCR length. Group I, included the foetuses up to 10 cm; group 2 of 10+ to 20 cm. and group 3 of20+ em and above CR length. The skin samples from neck, dorsal, thigh. ventral and flank regions of the foetal and neonatal goats were taken. fixed and processed for paraffin sections. Sections 4-7 um thick. were cut and stained in haematoxylin lmd eosin. The mean thickness of the dermis was 244.65+-1.19.06, 2980.23+-1.9.73 and 622.22+-1.38.42 um in groups 2. 3 and 4. respectively, and varied in ditferent regions of the body. It was maximum (280.00+-1.63.95, 329.60+-1.25.59 and 729.15+-1.54.85 um) in neck and minimum (173.76:1:25.40. 275.52:1:33.99 and 539.52+-168.00 11m) in ventral region in groups 2. 3 and 4. respectively. The dermis was predominantly cellular in group I, fibres appeared in group 2 and formed bundles in group 3. The texture ofthe dermis gradually developed coarser with the advancement of the age. It divided into superficial and deep zones in group 1. and 2 zones became well distinct with the advancement of age. The superficial zone was denser and more cellular than the deep which consisted of loosely arranged fibre bundles. The collagen fibres dominated over the elastic in different age groups.