Gross and Morphometrical Studies on the Thymus of Prenatal Surti Goat (Capra hircus)

Abstract

A gross morphometric study on the thymus was carried out in 42 healthy and normal embryos and foetuses of Surti goats at different stages of their development ranging from 38 days (2.6 cm CR length) to 140 days (38.8 cm CR length) of age. The Surti goat foetuses were divided into three age groups based on their crown rump length viz., group-I (2.6 to 12.0 cm CR length), group-II (12.2 to 26.8 cm CR length) and group-III (27.2 to 38.8 cm CR length). The thymus was superficially lobulated in all age groups. The colour of fresh thymus was pale red in each prenatal group. Three distinct parts of thymus viz., unpaired thoracic part, caudally situated paired body (cervical part) and right and left cranial parts were observed between the age of 42 to 140 days (3.4 to 38.8 cm CR length) in Surti goat foetuses. The various morphometric parameters of thymus viz., length, width, thickness, weight and volume increases significantly (P<0.01) from the age group-I to III. The maximum mean relative weight 0.921 ± 0.048 % was observed in group-III. Positive correlation was observed between CR length/ age and weight of the thymus in prenatal stage.