Ossification of Metatarsal in Prenatal Goat (Capra hircus)

Abstract

The study was conducted on the metatarsal of goat to document the appearance of centers of ossification. It was carried out on the metatarsals of 24 apparently healthy goats irrespective of sex and breed, divided into three groups viz; Group I (d 50 days of gestation), Group II (> 50 days and d 100 days of gestation), and Group III (> 100 days of gestation till parturition) comprising of 8 fetuses in each group. The hind limb of each foetus was stained with Alizarin red-S stain or Alzarin red-S and Alcian blue combined stain. At 51 days of gestation, the cartilaginous model of two metatarsals was laid. At 55 days of gestation the centers of ossification for the diaphysis of III and IV metatarsals were observed. The ossification center for II and V metatarsals were exhibited on 71 days of gestation in the form of thin line on the caudomedial and caudolateral aspect of III and IV metatarsals, respectively. At 82/83 days of gestation two metatarsals (III and IV) fused together and form a single bone. Two separate centers of ossification for distal epiphysis of III and IV metatarsals appeared on 135 days of gestation. At 148 days, two metatarsals were completely fused and ossified.