Study on Prenatal Ossification of Radius and Ulna in Goat (Capra hircus)

Abstract

The study was conducted on the radius and ulna of non-descript goat embryos/foetuses irrespective of sex from 35 to
148 days of gestation, divided into three groups viz; Group I (􀀂 50 days of gestation), Group II (> 50 days and 􀀂 100 days of
gestation) and Group III (> 100 days of gestation till parturition) comprising of 8 foetuses in each group. The fore limb of each
foetus was stained with Alizarin Red-S stain or double staining method to record the appearance of centers of ossification. At 44
days of gestation, the cartilaginous miniature of radius and ulna was present. The two cartilaginous bones were separated from
each other by a large spindle shaped inter-cartilaginous space. The ulna was longer than the radius. Its proximal extremity lay 1.0
mm above the proximal extremity of radius. The two centers of ossification, one each for the shaft of radius and ulna were seen
on 46 days of gestation. With the advancement of age, progressive ossification occurred in the shaft of radius and ulna from its
center towards the extremities. The centres of ossification for the proximal and distal extremities of radius were exhibited on 135
days of gestation. The centre of ossification for olecranon tuberosity was exhibited on 129 days of gestation, whereas for the
distal extremity of ulna it was observed on 135 days of gestation in goat.