Embryonic differentiation of intestine in Indian goats (Capra hircus)

The present study focused on identifying knowledge gaps in scientific literature for developmental anatomy and future fetal-programming researches on goats. The aim of this study was to observe the sequential growth and the development of the intestine from stage of formation of preliminary digestive tube to the differentiation of various segments during early prenatal life in Indian goats. The developing digestive tube was first witnessed on the 23rd day of gestation histologically and from 25 days of gestation onwards, it became observable grossly under stereozoom microscope. The further stages of developing intestine rotation, herniation and coiling and re-entry stages were noticed on the 38th day, 41st day and 48th day of gestation, respectively. The first demarcation between small and large intestines in the form of cecal bulge was recorded at 41st day of gestation. On the 45th day of gestation, all the segments of intestine that is, duodenum, jejunum, ileum, caecum, colon and rectum were well demarcated. Microscopically, the wall of the digestive tube was composed of three layers; lamina epithelialis, pleuripotent blastemic tissue and the mesothelium in between 23 and 39 days of gestation. At 41st day of gestation, the blastemic tissue showed distinct separation into lamina propria-submucosa and tunica muscularis. Among connective tissue fibres only reticular fibres were observable in this study. The histochemical localisation of polysaccharides, bound lipids and alkaline phosphatase enzyme showed mild to moderate reaction. The reaction for acid phosphatase enzyme could not be observed or was absent in this study.