Radiographic study on first appearance of ossification centers of bones in the goat fetuses: The pelvic limb

A total of 103 goat fetuses from 34 days to full term were radiographically examined for first appearance of ossification centers for pelvic limb bones. The chronological order of radiographic appearance of ossification centers in the pelvic limb of goat fetuses was observed as the diaphysis of femur, tibia and large metatarsal at 49 days goat fetus; followed by the centers of ilium at 58 days; ischium at 60 days; body of proximal phalanx at 68 days; body of middle phalanx at 71 days; calcaneous at 79 days; talus at 83 days; body of distal phalanx at 91 days; pubis at 103 days and fourth tarsal at 105 days. This was followed by the centers for distal epiphysis of femur at 113 days; head of femur, proximal and distal epiphysis of tibia, central tarsals and distal epiphysis of large metatarsal at 117 days; patella at 123 days; and proximal epiphysis of proximal and middle phalanges at 126 days. At 131 days, the centre for anterior tuberosity of tibia, tuber calcis and the fused second and third tarsal were observed. The centers for trochanter major, lateral malleolus, first tarsal and proximal sesamoid bones were last to appear at full term. The ossification centers for the trochanter minor, proximal epiphysis and diaphysis of fibula, small metatarsal and distal sesamoid bones could not be detected even at full term. The sequential chronological order of ages, at which different ossification centers first appeared, can be utilized as indicator to estimate age in the goat fetuses.