Organogenesis and Histogenesis of Mammary Gland in the Female Goat (Capra hircus)

The present study was carried out on the development of the mammary glands of 42 female foetii at different stages of their development ranging from 4.4 cm to 38.6 cm crown rump length (44-139 days). The mammary bud was observed between 4.4-6.0 cm crown rump length (44-49 days) as a group of undifferentiated epidermal cells below the stratum basale. The formation of primary sprout was initiated at 9.5 cm crown rump length (58 days) and its luminization was observed during 12.5 cm-13.0 cm crown rump length (64-66 days). At proximal end of primary sprout, the secondary sprouts were observed at 68 days and tertiary sprouts at 69-78 days. The teat cistern and gland cistern were observed at the age of 21.7 cm crown rump length (91 days) and were lined by double layer epithelium with superficial tall columnar and basal low cuboidal to flattened cells. At 32.5 cm crown rump length (122 days), the completely luminized streak canal, rosette of Furstenberg and teat canal were clearly noticed. At 38.6 cm crown rump length (139 days), the mammary glands showed high proliferative growth of gland cistern and surrounding ducts.