Gestational variations in the macro anatomy of the fore stomach of goat (Capra hircus)

A study was undertaken to appraise the macro anatomical development of fore stomach of foetal goat. For this study 36 foeti/embryos were divided into three groups viz. Group I (0–50 days of gestation), II (51–100 days of gestation) and III (101 days of gestation to till term) having 12 foeti in each group. All the four compartments of the goat stomach were clearly discernible by 38 days of gestation. Under stereozoom microscope, by 34 days of gestation the digestive tube showed three dilatations and two constrictions. Quadrilateral rumen was placed on left side of the median plane between 8^thrib to 1^st lumbar vertebra at term. Except cranio-dorsal coronary groove all other ruminal grooves were discernible before birth. Large dorsal and small ventral sacs were noticed at 46 days of gestation. Fine ruminal papillae were noticed from 90 days onwards. The reticulum became cranial most compartment of stomach after 50 days. Pear-shaped reticulum was placed on left side of the abdominal cavity in group I and pushed to just left of the median plane after 50 days of gestation. Near term (134 days), it was extended between 7^th to 9^th rib. Internally the reticulum showed honey comb-like folds at 107 days of intra uterine life. Originally the circular omasum was placed on the left of median plane and from 55 days onwards gradually shifted to the right side. During gestation, a cranial ascent of the omasum was noticed with its placement between 9^th-11^th ribs at term. Under stereozoom microscope, leaf-like omasal lamina was observed from 38 days of gestation. Primary, secondary, tertiary and quarterly laminae were observed on 38, 51, 55 and 87 days of gestation, respectively. Statistical analysis of the data revealed that biometrical parameters of fore stomach increased significantly with advancement of age and were highly significantly correlated with each other.