Histogenesis and Age Related Changes in Skin Reticular Fibers of Fetal, Neonatal & Adult Goat (Capra hircus)

Reticular fibres are actually type III collagen, an un-banded form of collagen that is produced at the time of development of supporting tissues. Histological study was conducted on 10 goat fetuses ranging from CR length 20 cm to 38 cm, 10 neonates and 10 adult goats (Capra hircus) assembled in separate groups to investigate reticulin origin and growth. Reticular fibres originated in the fetus group stage with CR length 23 and above and form an orderly network with the growing age. These fibres are meshwork of very fine hair like fibrils and their intensity varies from sparse to dense in various parts of skin. The distribution is rather restricted; they are mainly found in the papillary layer underlying the epithelium specifically in dermal epidermal junction and surrounding the follicles & glands. The fibres are consistently found highly intense in the neck and dorsal region, gradually decreasing in thigh, flank and ventral region respectively.