Gross and microscopic assessment of pre-paturent heart and lungs of the red Sokoto goat

The aim of this study is to determine the state of fetal preparedness to terrestrial life by studying the heart and lung of the red Sokoto goat fetus and to establish approximate fetal survival age. In this study, the cardiopulmonary status of fifty (50) red Sokoto goat fetuses recovered post slaughter were assessed. Grossly, the heart in 6 to 7 weeks old fetuses showed external divisions of the paraconal and subsinosal interventricular grooves, great vessels at the base and pointed apex. The full lobations of the lungs were identifiable. Microscopically, the cardiac fibers are arranged in a branching fashion with centrally located nuclei and large perimysial spaces. The alveolar cells were emerging with establishment of the apparatus. By 14 to 15 weeks of age, the alveoli cells were well established with well developed respiratory bronchioles. Similarly, cardiac fibers were developed with recognizable cross striation and greatly reduce perimysial spaces. Both the macroscopic and microscopic findings on the fetal heart and lungs of a day-old kid were similar to the findings observed on 14 to 15 weeks old fetuses. This therefore suggests that, in the event of a premature kidding at 14 to 15 weeks of gestation, the red Sokoto goat fetus could cope with extra uterine life, with adequate veterinary care.