Histochemical Studies on the Rumen of Goat (Capra hircus) During Prenatal Development

The histochemical studies were conducted on the stomach of 36 healthy and normal goat embryos/foeti of either sex in different stages of gestation. The embryo/foeti were grouped into group I (0–50 days), II (51–100) and III (101-till term). In foetal rumen intense reaction for polysaccharides (PAS) and bound lipids was exhibited by basement membrane, cells of basal zone and stratum corneum followed by smooth muscle cells, blood vessels, nerve elements and connective tissue cells. Acid mucopolysaccharides reaction was most pronounced in epithelial cells of superficial zone. Basement membrane showed strong activity for PAS and bound lipid. Smooth muscle cells and blood vessels exhibited weak reaction for alkaline phosphatase enzyme. Intense Feulgen reaction for DNA was revealed by nuclei of the cells of basal zone followed by smooth muscle cells, blood vessels, nerve elements and connective tissue cells.