Histogenesis of the forestomach of red Sokoto goats

Data are presented on the prenatal development of the forestomach of red Sokoto goats. Three stages of fetal development were studied by gross and light  microscopy techniques. The findings demonstrate that the primordia of all the components of the forestomach were present at 39 days of gestation. The mucosal surfaces of the rumen were smooth and later became granular at 30 and 96 days of gestation, respectively. Granules were observed on the mucosal surface of the omasum at 95 days of  gestation. The rumen, reticulum and omasum differentiated into epithelium, blastemic tissue and serosa at 40 days of gestation. The epithelium of the entire forestomach consisted of superficial stellate cells and basal globus shaped cell layers at 53 days. The underlying bastemic tissue differentiated into disorganized arrays of myoblastic tissues at about 53 days. The primordia of the ruminal papillae appeared as protuberances of the stratum basale at 53 days. The ruminal papillae progressively increased in dimension with advance in age of the fetus. Reticular ribs were first observed on the mucosa of the reticulum at 65 days of  gestation. In the reticulum, the lamina propria and submucosa were poorly demarcated throughout the study. The myoblastic tissues differentiated into isolated muscle bundles at the tips of the primary reticular folds at 124 days of gestation. Reticular cells were observed first at 145 days of gestation. Omasal leaves were first identified at 120 days. The forestomach of this goat differentiated earlier and developed faster than most of the other breeds.Keywords: Red Sokoto goat, Histogenesis, Omasum, Reticulum, Rume

Evaluation of the morphological adaptations of the small intestine of the African pied crow (Corvus albus)

The morphology and morphometry of the small intestine of the Adult African pied crow in a tropical habitat was studied. Fifteen African pied crows used in this study revealed modification of the jejunum into centripetal and centrifugal cone shaped spiral coils. The weight and length of jejunum was significantly greater (p < 0.05) than those of duodenum and ileum respectively. Histologically, the tunica mucosa in all the segments was modified into villi which showed wavy and anastomosing configurations in the jejunum. Each villus was lined by simple columnar epithelium with numerous goblet cells. The length, population and surface area of villi in the jejunum was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than those of the duodenum and ileum respectively while the population of goblet cells were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the ileum compared to the duodenum and jejunum. The bases of the villi were modified into the crypts of lieberkuhn which together with numerous mucosal glands are located in the connective tissue of the lamina priopria. The lamina muscularis mucosae separated the lamina propria from the thin submucosa in the walls of the three segments. The tunica muscularis was significantly thicker (p < 0.05) in the jejunum than in the ileum and duodenum respectively. The morphological modifications probably maximize space for efficient absorption and reduction of digestive load

Bilaterally symmetrical foramina on the parietal bone of the bovine skull: a case report

Different bovine skull developmental defects have been reported with variable frequency of occurrence. We hereby report a bilaterally symmetrical parietal foramina in a processed skull meant for osteological practical at the Department of Veterinary Anatomy, University of Jos, Nigeria. The depths of each of the foramina were 4.3 cm, while the diameters were 1 cm. This appears to be the first report of such foramina in the skull of bovine in North Central Nigeria.Keywords: Bovine skull, Foramina, Parietal bone, Developmental defect

Bilaterally symmetrical foramina on the parietal bone of the bovine skull: a case report

Different bovine skull developmental defects have been reported with variable frequency of occurrence. We hereby report a bilaterally symmetrical parietal foramina in a processed skull meant for osteological practical at the Department of Veterinary Anatomy, University of Jos, Nigeria. The depths of each of the foramina were 4.3 cm, while the diameters were 1 cm. This appears to be the first report of such foramina in the skull of bovine in North Central Nigeria.Keywords: Bovine skull, Foramina, Parietal bone, Developmental defect

Histogenesis of the stomach of helmeted guinea fowl (Numida meleagris)

The histogenesis of the stomach (proventriculus and ventriculus) of helmeted guinea fowl (Numida meleagris) was studied using light microscopy and histochemical techniques. Fifteen (15) embryos were utilized for this study. The result showed that at 10th and 13th days of embryonic development, the primordial proventriculus and ventriculus were lined by pseudostratified columnar epithelium surrounded by mesenchyme connective tissue. At 19th day of embryonic development, the epithelium of the proventriculus and ventriculus as well as the proventricular glands was lined by simple cuboidal epithelium. Tunics; tunica muscularis and serosa were evident at this stage. At 23rd day of embryonic development, tubular glands of the ventriculus became canalized. The 27th day of embryonic develoment of the primordial proventriculus showed an organized glandular lobules, central cavity and prominent muscle layer while the ventriculus showed the presence of cuticle, simple tubular glands, loose connective tissues of the lamina propria and muscle layer. This study has shown that primordial stomach appeared to be completly differentiated to definitive stomach by the 27th day with the potential of commencing functional role.Keywords: Embryo, Proventriculus, Ventriculus, Guinea fowl, Numida meleagri