Gross Morphometrical and Histomorphometrical Studies on Skin of Goat (Capra hircus)

Abstract

The present study was conducted on the skin samples of 220 goats of either sex, 20 samples each from different body regions namely dorsal neck, lateral neck, ventral neck, dorsal thorax, lateral thorax, ventral thorax, dorsal abdomen, lateral abdomen, ventral abdomen, lateral thigh and medial thigh to study the age wise gross morphometrical and histomorphometrical changes in the skin. The animals were divided into to two groups, viz. six to twelve months of age (Gr I) and above one year age (Gr II). The skin samples of goats were collected from healthy animals irrespective of sex from Nagpur Municipal Corporation Slaughter house immediately after natural death. The present study confirmed that the dermal papillae were less developed in ventral neck region in Gr I and Gr II. There was no significant difference in thickness of papillary layer between lateral thigh and medial thigh region. Thickness of reticular layer was maximum in dorsal neck region, while it was minimum in medial thigh region. Depth of primary hair follicle was maximum in dorsal neck region and minimum in medial thigh region.  Diameter of primary hair follicle was maximum in dorsal neck region in Gr I and Gr II, while it was minimum in medial thigh region in Gr I and lateral thigh region in Gr II.   Depth of sweat gland was maximum in dorsal neck region and minimum in medial thigh region. Significant increase in depth of sweat gland with advancement of age was noted in both the age groups.  Depth of sebaceous gland was maximum in dorsal neck region and minimum in medial thigh region. The present study would form a baseline data on the gross morphometry and histomorphometry of various parts of skin of goat which would be helpful in future research prospective.